bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy of three-dimensional structures in the mouse brain
Authors: Kasaragod Deepa Kamath , Aizawa Hidenori
Published: May 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging at cellular resolution improves our understanding of the brain architecture and is crucial for structural and functional integration as well as for the understanding of normal and pathological conditions in the brain. We developed a wide-field fluorescent microscope for 3D imaging of the brain structures using deep ultraviolet (DUV) light. This microscope allowed fluorescence imaging with optical sectioning due to the large absorption at the surface of the tissue and hence low tissue penetration of DUV light. Multiple channels of fluorophore signals were detected using single or a combination of dyes emitting fluorescence in the visible range of spectrum upon DUV excitation. Combination of this DUV microscope with microcontroller-based motorized stage enabled wide-field imaging of a coronal section of the cerebral hemisphere in mouse for deciphering cytoarchitecture of each substructure in detail. We extended this by integrating vibrating microtome which allowed serial block-face imaging of the brain structure such as the habenula in mouse. Acquired images were with resolution high enough for quantification of the cell numbers and density in the mouse habenula. Upon block-face imaging of the tissues covering entire extent of the cerebral hemisphere of the mouse brain, acquired data were registered and segmented for quantification of cell number in each brain regions. Results in the current analysis indicated that this novel microscope could be a convenient tool for large-scale 3D analysis of the brain in mice.
Targeted adaptive long-read sequencing for discovery of complex phased variants in inherited retinal disease patients
Authors: Nakamichi Kenji , Van Gelder Russell N. , Chao Jennifer R. , Mustafi Debarshi
Published: May 2023

Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a heterogeneous group of predominantly monogenic disorders with over 300 causative genes identified. Short-read exome sequencing is commonly used to genotypically diagnose patients with clinical features of IRDs, however, in up to 30% of patients with autosomal recessive IRDs, one or no disease-causing variants are identified. Furthermore, chromosomal maps cannot be reconstructed for allelic variant discovery with short-reads. Long-read genome sequencing can provide complete coverage of disease loci and a targeted approach can focus sequencing bandwidth to a genomic region of interest to provide increased depth and haplotype reconstruction to uncover cases of missing heritability. We demonstrate that targeted adaptive long-read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform of the USH2A gene from three probands in a family with the most common cause of the syndromic IRD, Usher Syndrome, resulted in greater than 12-fold target gene sequencing enrichment on average. This focused depth of sequencing allowed for haplotype reconstruction and phased variant identification. We further show that variants obtained from the haplotype-aware genotyping pipeline can be heuristically ranked to focus on potential pathogenic candidates without a priori knowledge of the disease-causing variants. Moreover, consideration of the variants unique to targeted long-read sequencing that are not covered by short-read technology demonstrated higher precision and F1 scores for variant discovery by long-read sequencing. This work establishes that targeted adaptive long-read sequencing can generate targeted, chromosome-phased data sets for identification of coding and non-coding disease-causing alleles in IRDs and can be applicable to other Mendelian diseases.
Hospital admissions and deaths due to acute cardiovascular events during the COVID-19 pandemic in residents of long-term care facilities
Authors: Gellert Paul , Kohl Raphael , Jürchott Kathrin , Noack Betty , Hering Christian , Gangnus Annabell , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Herrmann Wolfram J. , Kuhlmey Adelheid , Schwinger Antje
Published: May 2023

Hospital admissions due to acute cardiovascular events dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population; however, evidence for residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) is sparse. We investigated rates of hospital admissions and deaths due to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in LTCF residents during the pandemic. Our nationwide cohort study used claims data. The sample comprised 1,140,139 AOK-ensured LTCF residents over 60 years of age (68.6% women; age 85.3 ± 8.5 years) from the largest statutory health insurance in Germany (AOK), which is not representative for all LTCF residents. We included MI and stroke admission and compared numbers of in-hospital deaths from January 2020 to end of April 2021 (i.e., during the first three waves of the pandemic) with the number of incidences in 2015–2019. To estimate incidence risk ratios (IRR), adjusted Poisson regression analyses were applied. During the observation period (2015–2021), there were 19,196 MI and 73,953 stroke admissions. MI admissions declined in the pandemic phase by 22.5% (IRR = 0.68 [CI 0.65–0.72]) compared to previous years. This decline was slightly more pronounced for NSTEMI than for STEMI. MI fatality risks remained comparable across years (IRR = 0.97 [CI95% 0.92–1.02]). Stroke admissions dropped by 15.1% (IRR = 0.75 [CI95% 0.72–0.78]) in the pandemic. There was an elevated case fatality risk for haemorrhagic stroke (IRR = 1.09 [CI95% 1.03–1.15]) but not for other stroke subtypes compared to previous years. This study provides first evidence of declines in MI and stroke admissions and in-hospital deaths among LTCF residents during the pandemic. The figures are alarming given the acute nature of the conditions and the vulnerability of the residents.
Occurrence and genetic diversity of prophage sequences identified in the genomes of L. casei group bacteria
Authors: Jarocki Piotr , Komoń-Janczara Elwira , Młodzińska Agata , Sadurski Jan , Kołodzińska Kinga , Łaczmański Łukasz , Panek Jacek , Frąc Magdalena
Published: May 2023

It is widely believed that microorganisms belonging toL. caseigroup can have positive effects on the human body. Therefore, these bacteria are used in many industrial processes, including the production of dietary supplements and probiotic preparations. When using live microorganisms in technological processes, it is important to use those without phage sequences within their genomes that can ultimately lead to lysis of the bacteria. It has been shown that many prophages have a benign nature, meaning that they don’t directly lead to lysis or inhibit microbial growth. Moreover, the presence of phage sequences in the genomes of these bacteria increases their genetic diversity, which may contribute to easier colonization of new ecological niches. In the 439 analyzed genomes of theL. caseigroup, 1509 sequences of prophage origin were detected. The average length of intact prophage sequences analyzed was just under 36 kb. GC content of tested sequences was similar for all analyzed species (44.6 ± 0.9%). Analyzing the protein coding sequences collectively, it was found that there was an average of 44 putative ORFs per genome, while the ORF density of all phage genomes varied from 0.5 to 2.1. The average nucleotide identity calculated on sequence alignments for analyzed sequences was 32.7%. Of the 56L. caseistrains used in the next part of the study, 32 did not show culture growth above the OD600 value of 0.5, even at a mitomycin C concentration of 0.25 μg/ml. Primers used for this study allowed for the detection of prophage sequences for over 90% of tested bacterial strains. Finally, prophages of selected strains were induced using mitomycin C, phage particles were isolated and then genomes of viruses obtained were sequenced and analyzed.
NXP032 ameliorates cognitive impairment by alleviating the neurovascular aging process in aged mouse brain
Authors: Lee Jae-Min , Lee Joo Hee , Kim So Hee , Sim Tae Hyeok , Kim Youn-Jung
Published: May 2023

Vascular aging is well known to be associated with the breakdown of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which is essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and linked to higher cognitive dysfunction. Oxidative stress is believed to be a significant cause of the vascular aging process. Vitamin C is easily oxidized under physiological conditions, so it loses its potent antioxidant activity. We developed a DNA aptamer that enhances the function of vitamin C. NXP032 is the binding form of the aptamer and vitamin C. In this study, we investigated the effect of NXP032 on neurovascular stabilization through the changes of PECAM-1, PDGFR-β, ZO-1, laminin, and glial cells involved in maintaining the integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in aged mice. NXP032 was orally administered daily for 8 weeks. Compared to young mice and NXP032-treated mice, 20-month-old mice displayed cognitive impairments in Y-maze and passive avoidance tests. NXP032 treatment contributed to reducing the BBB damage by attenuating the fragmentation of microvessels and reducing PDGFR-β, ZO-1, and laminin expression, thereby mitigating astrocytes and microglia activation during normal aging. Based on the results, we suggest that NXP032 reduces vascular aging and may be a novel intervention for aging-induced cognitive impairment.
A high-absorbance water-soluble photoinitiator nanoparticle for hydrogel 3D printing: synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity study
Authors: Ghazali Hanieh Sadat , Askari Esfandyar , Seyfoori Amir , Naghib Seyed Morteza
Published: May 2023

Light-based hydrogel crosslinking is a new approach in rapid and high-resolution 3D printing; however, using this method in tissue engineering is challenging due to the toxicity of photoinitiators, their solvents, and their low efficiency. Herein, a novel, water-soluble photoinitiator with high efficiency in light-based 3D printing is introduced. Low-cost photoinitator, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphenyl phosphinate, is converted into nanoparticles via a microemulsion method and dispersed in water. Cell toxicity assays were performed to prove that these nanoparticles are non-toxic and can be used in biomedical applications. Finally, the nanoparticles were utilized in the high-accuracy 3D printing of hydrogels. The results of this study indicate that these particles are potent to be used in bioprinting.
Thalamocortical loops as temporal demodulators across senses
Authors: Ahissar Ehud , Nelinger Guy , Assa Eldad , Karp Ofer , Saraf-Sinik Inbar
Published: May 2023

Sensory information is coded in space and in time. The organization of neuronal activity in space maintains straightforward relationships with the spatial organization of the perceived environment. In contrast, the temporal organization of neuronal activity is not trivially related to external features due to sensor motion. Still, the temporal organization shares similar principles across sensory modalities. Likewise, thalamocortical circuits exhibit common features across senses. Focusing on touch, vision, and audition, we review their shared coding principles and suggest that thalamocortical systems include circuits that allow analogous recoding mechanisms in all three senses. These thalamocortical circuits constitute oscillations-based phase-locked loops, that translate temporally-coded sensory information to rate-coded cortical signals, signals that can integrate information across sensory and motor modalities. The loop also allows predictive locking to the onset of future modulations of the sensory signal. The paper thus suggests a theoretical framework in which a common thalamocortical mechanism implements temporal demodulation across senses.
Fatigue-driven compliance increase and collagen unravelling in mechanically tested anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Putera Kevin H. , Kim Jinhee , Baek So Young , Schlecht Stephen H. , Beaulieu Mélanie L. , Haritos Victoria , Arruda Ellen M. , Ashton-Miller James A. , Wojtys Edward M. , Banaszak Holl Mark M.
Published: May 2023

Approximately 300,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears occur annually in the United States, half of which lead to the onset of knee osteoarthritis within 10 years of injury. Repetitive loading is known to result in fatigue damage of both ligament and tendon in the form of collagen unravelling, which can lead to structural failure. However, the relationship between tissue’s structural, compositional, and mechanical changes are poorly understood. Herein we show that repetitive submaximal loading of cadaver knees causes an increase in co-localised induction of collagen unravelling and tissue compliance, especially in regions of greater mineralisation at the ACL femoral enthesis. Upon 100 cycles of 4× bodyweight knee loading, the ACL exhibited greater unravelled collagen in highly mineralized regions across varying levels of stiffness domains as compared to unloaded controls. A decrease in the total area of the most rigid domain, and an increase in the total area of the most compliant domain was also found. The results highlight fatigue-driven changes in both protein structure and mechanics in the more mineralized regions of the ACL enthesis, a known site of clinical ACL failure. The results provide a starting point for designing studies to limit ligament overuse injury.
Deep learning-based electrocardiographic screening for chronic kidney disease
Authors: Holmstrom Lauri , Christensen Matthew , Yuan Neal , Weston Hughes J. , Theurer John , Jujjavarapu Melvin , Fatehi Pedram , Kwan Alan , Sandhu Roopinder K. , Ebinger Joseph , Cheng Susan , Zou James , Chugh Sumeet S. , Ouyang David
Published: May 2023

Background

Undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and usually asymptomatic disorder that causes a high burden of morbidity and early mortality worldwide. We developed a deep learning model for CKD screening from routinely acquired ECGs.

Methods

We collected data from a primary cohort with 111,370 patients which had 247,655 ECGs between 2005 and 2019. Using this data, we developed, trained, validated, and tested a deep learning model to predict whether an ECG was taken within one year of the patient receiving a CKD diagnosis. The model was additionally validated using an external cohort from another healthcare system which had 312,145 patients with 896,620 ECGs between 2005 and 2018.

Results

Using 12-lead ECG waveforms, our deep learning algorithm achieves discrimination for CKD of any stage with an AUC of 0.767 (95% CI 0.760–0.773) in a held-out test set and an AUC of 0.709 (0.708–0.710) in the external cohort. Our 12-lead ECG-based model performance is consistent across the severity of CKD, with an AUC of 0.753 (0.735–0.770) for mild CKD, AUC of 0.759 (0.750–0.767) for moderate-severe CKD, and an AUC of 0.783 (0.773–0.793) for ESRD. In patients under 60 years old, our model achieves high performance in detecting any stage CKD with both 12-lead (AUC 0.843 [0.836–0.852]) and 1-lead ECG waveform (0.824 [0.815–0.832]).

Conclusions

Our deep learning algorithm is able to detect CKD using ECG waveforms, with stronger performance in younger patients and more severe CKD stages. This ECG algorithm has the potential to augment screening for CKD.
Aerial and aquatic biological and bioinspired flow control strategies
Authors: Othman Ahmed K. , Zekry Diaa A. , Saro-Cortes Valeria , Lee Kyung Jun “Paul” , Wissa Aimy A.
Published: May 2023

Flow control is the attempt to favorably modify a flow field’s characteristics compared to how the flow would have developed naturally along the surface. Natural flyers and swimmers exploit flow control to maintain maneuverability and efficiency under different flight and environmental conditions. Here, we review flow control strategies in birds, insects, and aquatic animals, as well as the engineered systems inspired by them. We focus mainly on passive and local flow control devices which have utility for application in small uncrewed aerial and aquatic vehicles (sUAVs) with benefits such as simplicity and reduced power consumption. We also identify research gaps related to the physics of the biological flow control and opportunities for device development and implementation on engineered vehicles.
Can agriculture technology improve food security in low- and middle-income nations? a systematic review
Authors: Brenya Robert , Zhu Jing , Sampene Agyemang Kwasi
Published: May 2023

The application of agriculture technology (AT) has been a reliable panacea for meeting the urgent demand for quality and healthy food.
An azoreductase activatable, endonuclease-gated nanodevice for spatiotemporal amplification imaging of microRNA-21 in hypoxic tumor cells
Authors: Peng Can , Wu Fan , Zeng Youhui , Liu Bo , Peng Ruiying , Zheng Jing
Published: May 2023

In this communication, we proposed an azoreductase activatable, endonuclease-gated fluorescent nanodevice for spatiotemporal amplification imaging of microRNA-21 in hypoxic tumor cells.
Hydrogen production by traditional and novel alkaline water electrolysis on nickel or iron based electrocatalysts
Authors: Zhang Rufei , Xie Ao , Cheng Linting , Bai Zhiqun , Tang Yang , Wan Pingyu
Published: May 2023

Recent advances in Ni- and Fe-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen production based on the traditional and novel alkaline water electrolysis processes are highlighted and overviewed.
Graphene crystals grown on a SiO2/Si substrate at low temperatures by controlling the initial nucleation and suppressing subsequent multiple nucleation
Authors: Liu Bing , Xiao Peng , Liu Chaohui , Li Jiamin , Cao Yingjie , Ma Siguang
Published: May 2023

Grow large graphene crystals on dielectric substrate by reducing initial nucleation density and suppressing subsequent multiple nucleation.
Comparative study on formic acid sensing properties of flame-made Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles and its parent metal oxides
Authors: Punginsang Matawee , Inyawilert Kanittha , Siriwalai Mameaseng , Wisitsoraat Anurat , Tuantranont Adisorn , Liewhiran Chaikarn
Published: May 2023

Proposed CH2O2-sensing mechanism of the flame-made Zn2SnO4 based sensor correlating the resistance change behaviors under exposure to air and CH2O2 at 300 °C.
Fluorescent nano-sized aggregates of halogen bonded complexes formed using perfluoropropyl iodides: a systematic comparison between two isomeric halogen bond acceptors, aniline and 4-methyl pyridine
Authors: Fan Haiyan , Nurtay Lazzat , Daniyeva Nurgul , Benassi Enrico
Published: May 2023

The halogen bonds formed by the two isomers 4-methyl pyridine and aniline with heptafluoro-1- and heptafluoro-2-propyl iodide were investigated using vibrational (FT-IR and Raman) spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and quantum mechanical calculations.
Improved reuse and storage performances at room temperature of a new environmentally friendly lactate oxidase biosensor prepared by ambient electrospray immobilization
Authors: Castrovilli Mattea Carmen , Scognamiglio Viviana , Tempesta Emanuela , Chiarinelli Jacopo , Parracino Mariantonietta , Frisulli Valeria , Giardi Maria Teresa , Avaldi Lorenzo , Rossi Danae , Cartoni Antonella
Published: May 2023

A new, environmentally friendly lactate oxidase (LOX) based biosensor for lactate detection, with unprecedented reuse and storage capabilities at room temperature, has been manufactured using the ambient electrospray deposition (ESD) technique.
Stabilities and performance of single cubic phase dysprosium and zirconium co-doped bismuth oxide electrolytes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhong Mengxi , Chen Jianpeng , Wang Shouqi , Zhang Binyi , Li Qingzhuo , Liu Wei , Gao Jiu-Tao , Li Cheng-Xin , Li Chang-Jiu
Published: May 2023

The dysprosium and zirconium co-doped cubic phase stabilized bismuth oxide electrolyte has been synthesized, and the optimum co-dopant concentration with outstanding performance has been in-depth investigated for widespread applications.
Correction: Anomalously abrupt switching of wurtzite-structured ferroelectrics: simultaneous non-linear nucleation and growth model
Authors: Yazawa Keisuke , Hayden John , Maria Jon-Paul , Zhu Wanlin , Trolier-McKinstry Susan , Zakutayev Andriy , Brennecka Geoff L.
Published: May 2023

Correction for ‘Anomalously abrupt switching of wurtzite-structured ferroelectrics: simultaneous non-linear nucleation and growth model’ by Keisuke Yazawa et al., Mater. Horiz., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH00365E.
Polyunsaturated sulfur/selenium-containing products based on regio- and stereoselective nucleophilic addition and substitution reactions of 1,2-bis[(Z)-2-(vinylsulfanyl)ethenyl] diselane
Authors: Amosova Svetlana V. , Filippov Andrey S. , Makhaeva Nataliya A. , Albanov Alexander I. , Potapov Vladimir A.
Published: May 2023

The synthetic application of the new reagent, 1,2-bis[(Z)-2-(vinylsulfanyl)ethenyl] diselane, was described for the first time.
Preparation of a microfibrous Fe/LTA zeolite membrane catalyst for acetone oxidation: effect of the preparation method
Authors: Hu Chengzhi , Zhou Changyan , Zhang Huiping , Yan Ying
Published: May 2023

A novel Fe2O3-coated microfiber composite zeolite membrane catalyst (Fe/LTA/PSSF) was prepared for the catalytic combustion of acetone. The macropore structure of PSSF is conducive to improving the efficiency of mass and heat transfer.
Metal–organic framework-based self-healing hydrogel fiber random lasers
Authors: Zhu Dexiang , Wang Zhouyuanhang , Xie Jun , Qu Guangyin , Yu Qi , Kuai Yan , Yu Benli , Zheng Jianzhong , Hu Zhijia , Li Siqi
Published: May 2023

We successfully fabricated a metal–organic framework-based hydrogel fiber random laser with a self-healing function. Impressively, the lasing output can be restored after self-healing, demonstrating potential application in extreme environments.
Metal-free polycyclotrimerization of trimethylsilyl-protected diynes: a facile strategy toward regioregular hyperbranched polyarylenes
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhan Yongliang , Zhang Linhui , Li Hongkun
Published: May 2023

A metal-freep-TsOH·H2O-catalyzed polycyclotrimerization of internal alkynes is developed to produce hyperbranched polyarylenes with electrochemical activities and aggregation-induced emission characteristics.
Length-tuneable biocompatible block copolymer nanorods with a poly(2-methyl-2-oxazine)-corona via heat-induced crystallisation-driven self-assembly
Authors: Warne Nicole M. , Elbourne Aaron , Tran Mai P. , Finnegan John R. , Feeney Orlagh M. , Kempe Kristian
Published: May 2023

Two new poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazine) were prepared to investigate the relationship between total degree of polymerisation and heat-induced CDSA kinetics to prepare length-controlled biocompatible rod-shaped nanoparticles.
Rational design of amphiphilic BODIPY-based photosensitizers for multimodal imaging-guided phototherapy
Authors: Jiang Minling , Zhang Jinjin , Li Yaojun , Shi Tingyu , Ma Tiantian , Sun Yiqi , Qiu Huayu , Li Yang , Yin Shouchun
Published: May 2023

Schematic illustration of the amphiphilic BODIPY-based photosensitizers for multimodal imaging-guided phototherapy through J-aggregation.
Mussel-inspired polydopamine decorated silane modified-electroconductive gelatin-PEDOT:PSS scaffolds for bone regeneration
Authors: Adler Catalina , Monavari Mahshid , Abraham Gustavo A. , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Ghorbani Farnaz
Published: May 2023

This study seeks to simulate both the chemistry and piezoelectricity of bone by synthesizing electroconductive silane-modified gelatin-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) scaffolds using the freeze drying technique.
Enhanced soft magnetic properties and high-frequency stability of FeNiMo powder cores by coating SiO2 insulation layer
Authors: Lai Jinming , Xiao Likang , Xiong Zhengwei , Fang Leiming , Zhu Wenkun , Kuang Fangguang , Gao Zhipeng
Published: May 2023

The high-frequency stability of soft magnetic composites could be substantially enhanced through the insulation coating process in which μf/μ100 kHz could reach 98.7% at 1 MHz.
Equatorial restriction of the photoinduced Jahn–Teller switch in Mn(iii)-cyclam complexes
Authors: Phelps Ryan , Etcheverry-Berrios Alvaro , Brechin Euan K. , Johansson J. Olof
Published: May 2023

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy was used to study the Jahn-Teller switch for [MnIII(cyclam)(H2O)2]3+ following the photoexcitation of the dxy ← dz2 electronic transition.
Spectroscopic insight on impact of environment on natural photoprotectants
Authors: Whittock Abigail L. , Ding Xuefei , Ramirez Barker Xavier E. , Auckloo Nazia , Sellers Rebecca A. , Woolley Jack M. , Tamareselvy Krishnan , Vincendet Marine , Corre Christophe , Pickwell-MacPherson Emma , Stavros Vasilios G.
Published: May 2023

Biomimicry has become a key player in researching new materials for a whole range of applications.
Carbon layer-protected self-supporting CoSe2 nanowire arrays for durable hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Wang Yibin , Ma Xinzhi , Xu Lingling , Liu Sirui , Wang Wei , Lu Huiqing , Wu Lili
Published: May 2023

Carbon layer-covered CoSe2 nanowire arrays grown on carbon cloth (C@CoSe2/CC), which promote electrolyte penetration, accelerate the diffusion of H2 bubbles and prevents CoSe2 from acid etching, and give rise to improved HER activity and superior durability.
Virtual Post-Intervention Speech and Language Assessment of Toddler and Preschool Participants in Babble Boot Camp
Authors: Potter Nancy L. , VanDam Mark , Bruce Laurel , Davis Jenny , Eng Linda , Finestack Lizbeth , Heinlen Victoria , Scherer Nancy , Schrock Claire , Seltzer Ryan , Stoel-Gammon Carol , Thompson Lauren , Peter Beate
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

Babble Boot Camp (BBC) is a parent-implemented telepractice intervention for infants at risk for speech and language disorders. BBC uses a teach–model–coach–review approach, delivered through weekly 15-min virtual meetings with a speech-language pathologist. We discuss accommodations needed for successful virtual follow-up test administration and preliminary assessment outcomes for children with classic galactosemia (CG) and controls at age 2.5 years.

Method:

This clinical trial included 54 participants, 16 children with CG receiving BBC speech-language intervention from infancy, age 2 years, five children receiving sensorimotor intervention from infancy and changing to speech-language intervention at 15 months until 2 years of age, seven controls with CG, and 26 typically developing controls. The participants' language and articulation were assessed via telehealth at age 2.5 years.

Results:

The Preschool Language Scale–Fifth Edition (PLS-5) was successfully administered with specific parent instruction and manipulatives assembled from the child's home. The GFTA-3 was successfully administered to all but three children who did not complete this assessment due to limited expressive vocabularies. Referrals for continued speech therapy based on PLS-5 and GFTA-3 scores were made for 16% of children who received BBC intervention from infancy as compared to 40% and 57% of children who began BBC at 15 months of age or did not receive BBC intervention, respectively.

Conclusions:

With extended time and accommodations from the standardized administration guidelines, virtual assessment of speech and language was possible. However, given the inherent challenges of testing very young children virtually, in-person assessment is recommended, when possible, for outcome measurements.
High resolution 80Se(n,γ) cross section measurement at CERN n_TOF
Authors: Babiano-Suarez V. , Balibrea-Correa J. , Caballero-Ontanaya L. , Domingo-Pardo C. , Ladarescu I. , Lerendegui-Marco J. , Tain J. L. , Calviño F. , Casanovas A. , Tarifeño-Saldivia A. , Guerrero C. , Aberle O. , Alcayne V. , Amaducci S. , Andrzejewski J. , Audouin L. , Bacak M. , Barbagallo M. , Bennett S. , Berthoumieux E. , Billowes J. , Bosnar D. , Brown A. , Busso M. , Caamaño M. , Calviani M. , Cano-Ott D. , Cerutti F. , Chiaveri E. , Colonna N. , Cortés G. , Cortés-Giraldo M. A. , Cosentino L. , Cristallo S. , Damone L. A. , Davies P. J. , Diakaki M. , Dietz M. , Dressler R. , Ducasse Q. , Dupont E. , Durán I. , Eleme Z. , Fernández-Domínguez B. , Ferrari A. , Finocchiaro P. , Furman V. , Göbel K. , Garg R. , Gawlik-Ramięga A. , Gilardoni S. , Gonçalves I. F. , González-Romero E. , Gunsing F. , Harada H. , Heinitz S. , Heyse J. , Jenkins D. G. , Junghans A. , Käppeler F. , Kadi Y. , Kimura A. , Knapová I. , Kokkoris M. , Kopatch Y. , Krtička M. , Kurtulgil D. , Lederer-Woods C. , Leeb H. , Lonsdale S. J. , Macina D. , Manna A. , Martínez T. , Masi A. , Massimi C. , Mastinu P. , Mastromarco M. , Maugeri E. A. , Mazzone A. , Mendoza E. , Mengoni A. , Michalopoulou V. , Milazzo P. M. , Mingrone F. , Moreno-Soto J. , Musumarra A. , Negret A. , Nolte R. , Ogállar F. , Oprea A. , Patronis N. , Pavlik A. , Perkowski J. , Persanti L. , Petrone C. , Pirovano E. , Porras I. , Praena J. , Quesada J. M. , Ramos-Doval D. , Rauscher T. , Reifarth R. , Rochman D. , Romanets Y. , Rubbia C. , Sabaté-Gilarte M. , Saxena A. , Schillebeeckx P. , Schumann D. , Sekhar A. , Smith A. G. , Sosnin N. V. , Sprung P. , Stamatopoulos A. , Tagliente G. , Tassan-Got L. , Thomas Th. , Torres-Sánchez P. , Tsinganis A. , Ulrich J. , Urlass S. , Valenta S. , Vannini G. , Variale V. , Vaz P. , Ventura A. , Vescovi D. , Vlachoudis V. , Vlastou R. , Wallner A. , Woods P. J. , Wright T. , Žugec P. ,   the n_TOF Collaboration
Published: May 2023

Neutron capture cross section measurements of isotopes close to s-process branching-points are of fundamental importance for the understanding of this nucleosynthesis mechanism through which about 50% of the elements heavier than iron are produced. We present in this contribution the results corresponding to the high resolution measurement, for first time ever, of the 80Se(n, γ) cross section, in which 98 resonances never measured before have been reported. As a consequence, ten times more precise values for the MACS have been obtained compared to previous accepted value adopted in the astrophysical KADoNiS data base.
The Neutron Scattering Cross Section and Angular Distribution Measurement Program at LANL
Authors: Kelly Keegan J. , Bennett Eames A. , Devlin Matthew , O’Donnell John M. , Paris Mark
Published: May 2023

Neutron scattering cross sections and angular distributions are leading terms in descriptions of neutron transport through any system. Despite the fundamental importance of nuclear data on these quantities, significant gaps in understanding and lack of experimental data persist in heavier elements and down to lighter structural materials, such as iron and aluminum. Recent measurements on carbon have also shown definitive proof that the neutron angular distribution can change with respect to the emission angle of γ-rays from inelastic scattering, thereby complicating γ-tagged measurements of inelastic neutron scattering. In this work, we describe the emerging program at Los Alamos National Laboratory for measurements of neutron scattering cross sections and neutron, γ-ray, and correlated n-γ angular distributions utilizing liquid scintillator detectors and the Correlated Gamma-Neutron Array for Scattering (CoGNAC) of CLYC scintillators. Currently, these detectors are operated simultaneously with the in-progress array of CLYC detectors in an inverted position, and data analysis techniques are being developed to span scattering measurements from light nuclei up through actinides. Preliminary results for measurements on 12C, 27Al, and 56Fe are presented here with a description of the analysis methods applied and anticipated capabilities of the full-scale detection system.
Cross section measurements of low-energy charged particle induced reactions using moderated neutron counter arrays
Authors: Clisu Cristina , Gheorghe Ioana , Filipescu Dan , Renstrøm Therese , Aciksoz Esra , Boromiza Marian , Florea Nicoleta , Gosta Giulia , Ionescu Alina , Krzysiek Mateusz , Maj Adam , Mihai Constantin , Negret Alexandru , Nita Cristina , Olacel Adina , Petrone Cristina , Serban Andreea , Sotty Christophe , Stiru Irina , Stan Lucian , Suvaila Rares , Toma Sebastian , Turturica Andrei , Tveten Gry M. , Ujeniuc Sorin , Wieland Oliver , Zeiser Fabio , Camera Franco , Utsunomiya Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

A high-and-flat efficiency moderated neutron detection array of 3He counters has been recently developed for photoneutron cross section measurements at the future ELI-NP gamma-ray beam source. We have designed a three rings geometry of 31 counters with a ˜37% efficiency flat within 5% in the 10 keV to 5 MeV neutron energy interval. A commissioning experiment was performed using proton beams delivered by the 9 MV Tandem accelerator of IFIN-HH. We measured the neutron production cross sections for proton induced reactions on nat Cu and 27Al. The (p, xn) reactions on nat Cu were investigated in the 4.5 MeV to 14 MeV proton energy range with 250 keV steps, using pulsed and continuous proton beams. The low energy measurements below 10 MeV served to validate the detection efficiency calibration against well-known natCu(p, n) cross sections. The 27Al(p, n) reaction was investigated in the 5.8 MeV to 6.75 MeV energy range with 5 keV steps. Preliminary cross section results are here compared with preceding data.
Photoneutron cross section measurements on 208Pb
Authors: Gheorghe Ioana , Utsunomiya Hiroaki , Ari-izumi Takashi , Aumann Thomas , Baumann Martin , van Beek Patrick , Kuchenbrod Philipp , Lalić Nikolina , Scheit Heiko , Symochko Dmytro , Bello Garrote Frank L. , Eriksen Tomas , Ingeberg Vetle Wegner , Paulsen Wanja , Pedersen Line G. , Raez Fardous , Belyshev Sergey , Miyamoto Shuji
Published: May 2023

Photoneutron reactions on 208Pb in the Giant Dipole Resonance (GDR) energy range have been investigated at the γ-ray beam line of the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility in Japan. Making use of quasi-monochromatic laser Compton scattering (LCS) γ-ray beams and of a novel flat-efficiency neutron detection system along with associated neutron-multiplicity sorting method, total and partial (γ,xn) photoneutron cross sections with x = 1 to 4 have been measured for 208Pb in a broad energy range covering the neutron threshold up to 38 MeV.
High Priority Request List cross-section measurements: 7Li(d,x)7Be/3H and 39K(n,p)39Ar
Authors: Koliadko Daniil , Majerle Mitja , Klix Axel , Šimečková Eva , Novak Jan , Mrázek Jaromír , Ansorge Martin , Angelone Maurizio , Štefánik Milan
Published: May 2023

The Nuclear Energy Agency’s High Priority Nuclear Data Request List is a compilation of the highest priority nuclear data requirements. The U-120M cyclotron of the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a suitable tool for studies of several reactions from this list. In this paper, we present the measurements of the 7Be and 3H production in the lithium-7 after the irradiation with deuterons and the validation measurement for the 39Ar production in 39K after irradiation with neutrons .
Activation Cross Section Measurement of the (n,2n) Reaction on 203Tl
Authors: Diakaki Μ. , Vlastou R. , Patas S. , Chasapoglou S. , Kokkoris M. , Alamanos G. , Frantzis C. , Axiotis M. , Harissopulos S. , Lagoyannis A.
Published: May 2023

The aim of the present work was to study the cross-section of the (n,2n) reaction on 203Tl, by irradiating a natural TlCl pellet target with monoenergetic neutron beams at 16.4, 18.9 and 19.3 MeV. The cross section of the 203Tl(n,2n)202Tl reaction was measured via the activation method, with respect to the 197Au(n,2n)196Au and 27Al(n,α)24Na reference reactions. At the same time, the 203Tl(n,3n)201Tl was also measured at 18.9 and 19.3 MeV. The monoenergetic neutron beams were generated at the 5.5 MV Tandem accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos”, using the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. In addition, theoretical calculations with the EMPIRE code have been performed, in order to find a suitable model for the description of the experimental data of the present work along with the data from literature.
Liquid scintillation counting: A valuable tool to determine half-lives
Authors: Kossert Karsten , Takács Marcell Péter , Nähle Ole
Published: May 2023

In the past two decades, the radionuclide metrology group at PTB has carried out a number of half-life determinations using liquid scintillation counting. The half-lives, which were often determined in collaboration with other institutions, range from a few ten nanoseconds (e.g., 86 keV level of233Pa) to several billion years (e.g.,87Rb). This review aims to give an overview of the various half-life determination techniques that have been used and to demonstrate the great potential of liquid scintillation counting as an experimental tool for such measurements.
A Problem in the Statistical Description of Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission
Authors: Gorton Oliver C. , Johnson Calvin W. , Escher Jutta E.
Published: May 2023

Reaction measurements on fission products are being planned at both Argonne National Lab and at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. These indirect experiments produce specific short-lived nuclei via beta decay, and the subsequent neutron and gamma emission are studied. Some initial experiments found a surprising overabundance of gamma emission, which theory has yet to explain. To remedy this, we are developing an integrated nuclear data workflow that connects advanced nuclear shell model codes for describing the beta decay with a contemporary nuclear reaction model code.
New measurement of the235U(nth,f) fission yields and development of a Time of Flight line at the LOHENGRIN spectrometer
Authors: Houdouin-Quenault M. , Sage C. , Méplan O. , Ramdhane M. , Dauvergne D. , Gallin-Martel M.L. , Muraz J.F. , Guillaudin O. , Marcatili S. , Kessedjian G. , Chebboubi A. , Serot O. , Litaize O. , Bernard D. , Köster U. , Kim Y.H. , Mutti P. , Smith A.G.
Published: May 2023

The study of nuclear fission yields has a major impact on the characterization and understanding of the fission process and is mandatory for reactor applications. In the framework of a collaboration between the CEA, the LPSC and the ILL, a program of actinide fission yield measurements has been ongoing for several years at the LOHENGRIN spectrometer. However, the measurement of very low fission yields in the symmetry region and the heavy wing of the distributions is difficult to achieve due to the strong contamination by other masses with much higher yields and requires the development of a new experimental setup.

This paper will first present the results of a new absolute measurement of the235U(nth,f) mass yields using an ionization chamber placed at the exit of the spectrometer. Although very well documented in the literature, these yields show uncertainties lying from 3% to 10% with large discrepancies between libraries and a lack of correlation matrices. New experimental data obtained at the LOHENGRIN spectrometer will be detailed, along with the measurement method and the production of the experimental covariance matrix.

The second part will show the development of a Time of Flight (ToF) line in order to improve the background rejection in the mass yield measurements. In the symmetry region, the precision of the measurement is limited by the background estimation due to the charge exchanges with the residual gas of the separator. We plan to analyze the events using a triple coincidence (∆E x E) x ToF, whereas today only (∆E x E) selection is available. The new ToF line is built using Si3N4foils and secondary electron detectors (SED) for the start and stop detectors. We will present the choices made for the SED technology along with the progress achieved on the ToF line characterization.
The Extension of the Hauser-Feshbach Fission Fragment Decay Model to Multi-chance Fission and its Application to 239Pu
Authors: Lovell A. E. , Kawano T. , Okumura S. , Mumpower M. R. , Stetcu I. , Talou P.
Published: May 2023

The Hauser-Feshbach fission fragment decay model, HF3D, calculates the statistical decay of fission fragments through both prompt and delayed neutron and γ-ray emissions in a deterministic manner. While previously limited to the calculation of only first-chance fission, the model has recently been extended to include multi-chance fission, up to neutron incident energies of 20 MeV. The deterministic decay takes as input prescission quantities–fission probabilities, pre-fission neutron energies, and the average energy causing fission– and post-scission quantities–yields in mass, charge, total kinetic energy, spin, and parity. From those fission fragment initial conditions, the full decay is followed through both prompt and delayed particle emissions. The evaporation of the prompt neutrons and γ rays is calculated through the Hauser-Feshbach statistical theory, taking into account the competition between neutron and γ-ray emission, conserving energy, spin, and parity. The delayed emission is taken into account using time-independent calculation using decay data. This whole formulation allows for the calculation of prompt neutron and γ-ray properties, such as multiplicities and energy distributions, both independent and cumulative fission yields, and delayed neutron observables, in a consistent framework. Here, we describe the implementation of multi-chance fission into the HF3D model, and show an example of prompt and delayed quantities beyond first-chance fission, using the example of neutron-induced fission on 239Pu. This expansion represents significant progress in consistently modeling the emission of prompt and delayed particles from fissile systems.
Implementation of the ELECTR module in NJOY
Authors: Hébert Alain , Naceur Ahmed
Published: May 2023

The ELECTR module of NJOY is designed to produce complete and accurate multigroup electroatomic cross sections from ENDF/B-VII data[1, 2]. electr produces restricted cross sections consistent with a solution of the multigroup Boltzmann-Fokker-Planck (BFP) equation. Total, elastic, inelastic (collision and bremsstrahlung) cross sections can be averaged using a variety of group structures and weighting functions. The Legendre components of the within-group elastic and group-to-group inelastic collision cross sections are calculated using tabulated data in energy and analytic expressions of the angular deviation recovered from the CEPXS code[3]. Here, we propose an Open-Source implementation of this module, named electr in NJOY2012 and NJOY-2016.[4] electr also computes partial energy deposition and charge deposition cross sections for each reaction and sum these partial contributions. The resulting multigroup constants are written on an intermediate gendf file for later conversion to any desired format.
Managing and Processing Nuclear Data Libraries with FUDGE
Authors: Mattoon Caleb , Beck Bret , Gert Godfree
Published: May 2023

FUDGE (For Updating Data and Generating Evaluations) is an open-source code that supports reading, visualizing, checking, modifying, and processing nuclear reaction and decay data. For ease of use the front-end of FUDGE is written in Python while C and C++ routines are employed for computationally intensive calculations.

FUDGE has been developed primarily at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) with contributions from Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). It is used by the LLNL Nuclear Data and Theory (NDT) group to deliver high-quality nuclear data libraries to users for a variety of applications. FUDGE is also the world leader in converting data to the Generalized Nuclear Database Structure (GNDS) and working with GNDS data, including processing and visualizing. GNDS is a new extensible hierarchy that has been internationally adopted as the new standard for storing and using nuclear data libraries, replacing the previous standard ENDF-6.

A new public release of FUDGE has recently been published on github. This paper gives an overview of nuclear data processing capabilities in FUDGE, as well as describing the latest release, new capabilities, future plans, and basic instructions for users interested in applying FUDGE to their nuclear data workflow.
Regression analysis of experimental reaction cross-section data of 241Am(n, 2n)240Am
Authors: Phatak Tejashree S. , Nair Jayalekshmi , Ram Sangeetha Prasanna , Roy B.J. , Mohanto G.
Published: May 2023

Pre-processing of neutron reaction cross-section is essential in the nuclear data evaluation. This work aims to pre-process experimental cross-section data of 241 Am (n, 2n) 240 Am neutron reaction. Pre-processing of the experimental data includes re-normalization, removal of the outliers, integrating multiple cross-section values at single energy to single cross-section value, and regression on the cleaned experimental data. To remove outliers from the data, standardized residual and studentized residual have been used. For integration of multiple cross-section values to single cross-section value, the weighted average method has been used. Regression on the cleaned experimental data has been accomplished using the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Polynomial Regression (PR), and the performance of both regression methods has been studied using statistical indices such as the determination of coefficient (R2) and the sum of the square of residual (SSres).
Reactivity Worth Measurement of Calcium Hydride Sample in UTR-KINKI Reactor
Authors: Kanda Takashi , Nakajima Kunihiro , Goto Makaki , Sakon Atsushi , Sano Tadafumi , Hashimoto Kengo
Published: May 2023

Small modular reactors (SMR) using calcium hydride (CaH2) as a moderator have attracted attention due to their passive safety and economic efficiency. In order to design the nuclear design of the SMR, the integral validation of the cross section considering the thermal neutron scattering law(S(α,β)) of CaH2 is necessary. However, there are no integral experiments using CaH2 in the reactor. As the first integral experiment in nuclear reactors, we performed reactivity worth measurements of CaH2 samples in a university training and research reactor (UTR-KINKI) of Kindai University. The measured sample reactivity worth was compared with the results calculated by the continuous energy Monte Carlo code MVP3 and JEFF-3.1, and integral validation of the CaH2 cross section stored in JEFF-3.1 was performed. To obtain the sample reactivity worth components, we carried out perturbation calculations.
Generation of thermal scattering laws with the CINEL code
Authors: Noguere G. , Xu S. , Desgrange L. , Boucher J. , Bourasseau E. , Carlot G. , Filhol A. , Ollivier J. , Hansen T. , Nassif V. , Ouente Orench I. , Colin C. , Laversenne L. , Zanotti J.-M. , Berrod Q.
Published: May 2023

The thermal scattering laws (TSL) take into account the crystalline structure and atomic motions of isotopes bound in materials. This paper presents the CINEL code, which was developed to generate temperature-dependent TSL for solid, liquid and free gas materials of interest for nuclear reactors. CINEL is able to calculate TSL from the phonon density of states (PDOS) of materials under the Gaussian-Incoherent approximations. The PDOS can be obtained by using theoretical approaches (e.g., ab initio density functional theory and molecular dynamics) or experimental results. In this work, the PDOS presented in the ENDF/BVIII.0 and NJOY-NCrystal libraries were used for numerical validation purposes. The CINEL results are in good agreement with those reported in these databases, even in the specific cases of TSL with the newly mixed elastic format. The coding flexibility offered by Python using the JupyterLab interface allowed to investigate limits of physical models reported in the literature, such as a four-site model for UO2, anharmonic behaviors of oxygen atoms bound in a Fm3m structure, texture in Zry4 samples and jump corrections in a roto-translational diffusion model for liquid water. The use of graphic processing units (GPU) is a necessity to perform calculations in a few minutes. The performances of the CINEL code is illustrated with the results obtained on actinide oxides having a Fm3m structure (UO2, ThO2, NpO2 and PuO2), low enriched fuel (UMo), cladding (Zry4) and moderators (H2O with a specific emphasis on ice).