bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of chest CT quantitative pulmonary inflammatory index in the evaluation of the course and treatment outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Peng Song , Chen Jinqing , Zhang Wendy , Zhang Bangjun , Liu Zhifeng , Liu Lang , Wu Zhaofeng , Fu Rui , Li Xiuhua , Lv Fajin
Published: April 2021

To explore the clinical application value of chest CT quantitative pulmonary inflammation index (PII) in the evaluation of the course and treatment outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia. One hundred and eighteen patients with COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosed by RT-PCR were analyzed retrospectively. The correlation between chest CT PII, clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations during the entire hospitalization period was compared. The average age of the patients was 46.0 ± 15 (range: 1–74) years. Of the 118 patients, 62 are male (52.5%) and 56 are female (47.5%). Among them, 116 patients recovered and were discharged, 2 patients died, and the median length of hospital stay was 22 (range: 9–41) days. On admission, 76.3% of the patients presented with fever, and the laboratory studies showed a decrease in lymphocyte (LYM) count and an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Within the studies’ chest CTs, the median number of involved lung lobes was 4 (range: 0–5) and the median number of involved lung segments was 9 (range 0–20). The left lower lobe and the right lower lobe were the most likely areas to be involved (89.0% and 83.9%), and 84.7% of the patients had inflammatory changes in both lungs. The main manifestations on chest CT were ground glass opacities (31.4%), ground glass opacities and consolidation (20.3%), ground glass opacities and reticular patterns (32.2%), mixed type (13.6%), and white lungs (1.7%); common accompanying signs included linear opacities (55.9%), air bronchograms (46.6%), thick small vessel shadows (36.4%), and pleural hypertrophy (13.6%). The chest CT at discharge showed complete absorption of lesions in 19 cases (16.1%), but not in the remaining 99 cases. Lesions remained in a median of 3 lung lobes (range: 0–5). Residual lesions remained in a median of 5 lung segments (range: 0–20). The residual lesions mainly presented as ground glass opacities (61.0%), and the main accompanying sign was linear opacities (59.3%). Based on chest CT, the median maximum PII of lungs was 30.0% (range: 0–97.5%), and the median PII after discharge in the patients excluding the two deaths was 12.5% (range: 0–53.0%). PII was significantly negatively correlated with the LYM count and significantly positively correlated with body temperature, LDH, CRP, and ESR. There was no significant correlation between the PII and the white blood cell count, but the grade of PII correlated well with the clinical classification. PII can be used to monitor the severity and the treatment outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia, provide help for clinical classification, assist in treatment plan adjustments and aid assessments for discharge.
Whole genome resequencing and custom genotyping unveil clonal lineages in ‘Malbec’ grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Calderón Luciano , Mauri Nuria , Muñoz Claudio , Carbonell-Bejerano Pablo , Bree Laura , Bergamin Daniel , Sola Cristobal , Gomez-Talquenca Sebastian , Royo Carolina , Ibáñez Javier , Martínez-Zapater José Miguel , Lijavetzky Diego
Published: April 2021

Grapevine cultivars are clonally propagated to preserve their varietal attributes. However, genetic variations accumulate due to the occurrence of somatic mutations. This process is anthropically influenced through plant transportation, clonal propagation and selection. Malbec is a cultivar that is well-appreciated for the elaboration of red wine. It originated in Southwestern France and was introduced in Argentina during the 1850s. In order to study the clonal genetic diversity of Malbec grapevines, we generated whole-genome resequencing data for four accessions with different clonal propagation records. A stringent variant calling procedure was established to identify reliable polymorphisms among the analyzed accessions. The latter procedure retrieved 941 single nucleotide variants (SNVs). A reduced set of the detected SNVs was corroborated through Sanger sequencing, and employed to custom-design a genotyping experiment. We successfully genotyped 214 Malbec accessions using 41 SNVs, and identified 14 genotypes that clustered in two genetically divergent clonal lineages. These lineages were associated with the time span of clonal propagation of the analyzed accessions in Argentina and Europe. Our results show the usefulness of this approach for the study of the scarce intra-cultivar genetic diversity in grapevines. We also provide evidence on how human actions might have driven the accumulation of different somatic mutations, ultimately shaping the Malbec genetic diversity pattern.
A comparative study of Helicobacter pylori infection in hamsters experimentally infected with liver flukes Opisthorchis felineus, Opisthorchis viverrini, or Clonorchis sinensis
Authors: Pakharukova Maria Y. , Zaparina Oxana , Hong Sung-Jong , Sripa Banchob , Mordvinov Viatcheslav A.
Published: April 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes a wide range of human diseases including cancer. Carcinogenic foodborne trematodes Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis, and O. felineus might promote transmission and spread of H. pylori infection in the definitive mammalian host, which in turn might contribute to the liver fluke-associated malignancy. Our objectives were to find out whether liver flukes O. felineus, O. viverrini, and C. sinensis are carriers of Helicobacter pylori and to determine whether H. pylori is present in feces, bile, and stomach samples from the experimentally infected hamsters. We found that liver flukes are not reservoirs of H. pylori. Nevertheless, the prevalence of H. pylori and the H. pylori ureA gene copy number were significantly elevated after the infection. Overall, although the liver flukes O. felineus, C. sinensis, and O. viverrini are not reservoirs of H. pylori, the infection with the liver flukes significantly modifies the biliary and gut microbiota by increasing H. pylori abundance. This may be a feature of any liver fluke pathogenesis that have not previously been taken into account. Our findings appear to be novel in terms of comparative assessment of the host microbiota and Helicobacter abundance during epidemiologically important liver fluke infections.
Identification of chlorophyll a-b binding protein AB96 as a novel TGFβ1 neutralizing agent
Authors: Lynham Steven , Freile Fabio Grundland , Puri Natasha M. , O’Reilly Nicola , Mitchell Graham H. , Wells Timothy N. C. , Willcox Merlin , Beatson Richard
Published: April 2021

The discovery of compounds and proteins from plants has greatly contributed to modern medicine. Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Compositae) is used by humans and primates for a variety of conditions including parasitic infection. This paper describes the serendipitous discovery that V. amygdalina extract was able to bind to, and functionally inhibit, active TGFβ1. The binding agent was isolated and identified as chlorophyll a-b binding protein AB96. Given that active TGFβ1 contributes to the pathology of many infectious diseases, inhibiting these processes may explain some of the benefits associated with the ingestion of this species. This is the first plant-derived cytokine-neutralizing protein to be described and paves the way for further such discoveries.
Intranasal versus intratracheal exposure to lipopolysaccharides in a murine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Khadangi Fatemeh , Forgues Anne-Sophie , Tremblay-Pitre Sophie , Dufour-Mailhot Alexis , Henry Cyndi , Boucher Magali , Beaulieu Marie-Josée , Morissette Mathieu , Fereydoonzad Liah , Brunet David , Robichaud Annette , Bossé Ynuk
Published: April 2021

Due to frequent and often severe lung affections caused by COVID-19, murine models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are increasingly used in experimental lung research. The one induced by a single lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure is practical. However, whether it is preferable to administer LPS intranasally or intratracheally remains an open question. Herein, female C57Bl/6 J mice were exposed intranasally or intratracheally to one dose of either saline or 3 mg/kg of LPS. They were studied 24 h later. The groups treated with LPS, either intranasally or intratracheally, exhibited a pronounced neutrophilic inflammation, signs of lung tissue damage and protein extravasation into the alveoli, and mild lung dysfunction. The magnitude of the response was generally not different between groups exposed intranasally versus intratracheally. However, the variability of some the responses was smaller in the LPS-treated groups exposed intranasally versus intratracheally. Notably, the saline-treated mice exposed intratracheally demonstrated a mild neutrophilic inflammation and alterations of the airway epithelium. We conclude that an intranasal exposure is as effective as an intratracheal exposure in a murine model of ARDS induced by LPS. Additionally, the groups exposed intranasally demonstrated less variability in the responses to LPS and less complications associated with the sham procedure.
Machine learning applied to X-ray tomography as a new tool to analyze the voids in RRP Nb3Sn wires
Authors: Bagni T. , Bovone G. , Rack A. , Mauro D. , Barth C. , Matera D. , Buta F. , Senatore C.
Published: April 2021

The electro-mechanical and electro-thermal properties of high-performance Restacked-Rod-Process (RRP) Nb3Sn wires are key factors in the realization of compact magnets above 15 T for the future particle physics experiments. Combining X-ray micro-tomography with unsupervised machine learning algorithm, we provide a new tool capable to study the internal features of RRP wires and unlock different approaches to enhance their performances. Such tool is ideal to characterize the distribution and morphology of the voids that are generated during the heat treatment necessary to form the Nb3Sn superconducting phase. Two different types of voids can be detected in this type of wires: one inside the copper matrix and the other inside the Nb3Sn sub-elements. The former type can be related to Sn leaking from sub-elements to the copper matrix which leads to poor electro-thermal stability of the whole wire. The second type is detrimental for the electro-mechanical performance of the wires as superconducting wires experience large electromagnetic stresses in high field and high current conditions. We analyze these aspects thoroughly and discuss the potential of the X-ray tomography analysis tool to help modeling and predicting electro-mechanical and electro-thermal behavior of RRP wires and optimize their design.
On the shape of cicada’s wing leading-edge cross section
Authors: Starkweather Rachel M. , Poroseva Svetlana V. , Hanson David T.
Published: April 2021

An important role that the leading-edge cross-section shape plays in the wing flight performance is well known in aeronautics. However, little is known about the shape of the leading-edge cross section of an insect’s wing and its contribution to remarkable qualities of insect flight. In this paper, we reveal, in the first time, the shape of the leading-edge cross section of a cicada’s wing and analyze its variability along the wing. We also identify and quantify similarities in characteristic dimensions of this shape in the wings of three different cicada species.
Identification and characterization of piperine synthase from black pepper, Piper nigrum L.
Authors: Schnabel Arianne , Athmer Benedikt , Manke Kerstin , Schumacher Frank , Cotinguiba Fernando , Vogt Thomas
Published: April 2021

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is the world’s most popular spice and is also used as an ingredient in traditional medicine. Its pungent perception is due to the interaction of its major compound, piperine (1-piperoyl-piperidine) with the human TRPV-1 or vanilloid receptor. We now identify the hitherto concealed enzymatic formation of piperine from piperoyl coenzyme A and piperidine based on a differential RNA-Seq approach from developing black pepper fruits. This enzyme is described as piperine synthase (piperoyl-CoA:piperidine piperoyl transferase) and is a member of the BAHD-type of acyltransferases encoded by a gene that is preferentially expressed in immature fruits. A second BAHD-type enzyme, also highly expressed in immature black pepper fruits, has a rather promiscuous substrate specificity, combining diverse CoA-esters with aliphatic and aromatic amines with similar efficiencies, and was termed piperamide synthase. Recombinant piperine and piperamide synthases are members of a small gene family in black pepper. They can be used to facilitate the microbial production of a broad range of medicinally relevant aliphatic and aromatic piperamides based on a wide array of CoA-donors and amine-derived acceptors, offering widespread applications.
Direct visualization of radiation-induced transformations at alkali halide–air interfaces
Authors: Riechers Shawn L. , Petrik Nikolay G. , Loring John S. , Bowden Mark E. , Cliff John B. , Murphy Mark K. , Pearce Carolyn I. , Kimmel Greg A. , Rosso Kevin M.
Published: April 2021

Radiation driven reactions at mineral/air interfaces are important to the chemistry of the atmosphere, but experimental constraints (e.g. simultaneous irradiation, in situ observation, and environmental control) leave process understanding incomplete. Using a custom atomic force microscope equipped with an integrated X-ray source, transformation of potassium bromide surfaces to potassium nitrate by air radiolysis species was followed directly in situ at the nanoscale. Radiolysis initiates dynamic step edge dissolution, surface composition evolution, and ultimately nucleation and heteroepitaxial growth of potassium nitrate crystallites mediated by surface diffusion at rates controlled by adsorbed water. In contrast to in situ electron microscopy and synchrotron-based imaging techniques where high radiation doses are intrinsic, our approach illustrates the value of decoupling irradiation and the basis of observation.
Costunolide ameliorates intestinal dysfunction and depressive behaviour in mice with stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome via colonic mast cell activation and central 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism
Authors: Li Xi , Liu Qingqing , Yu Jiaoyan , Zhang Ruitao , Sun Ting , Jiang Wei , Hu Na , Yang Peng , Luo Li , Ren Jing , Wang Qinhui , Wang Yan , Yang Qi
Published: April 2021

Costunolide not only improved gastrointestinal dysfunction but also ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in mice with stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome.
Rationally constructing a hierarchical two-dimensional NiCo metal–organic framework/graphene hybrid for highly efficient Li+ ion storage
Authors: Jin Jun , Zhang You-fang , Wang Huanwen , Gong Yansheng , Wang Rui , He Beibei , Xiao Tuo , Zheng Yun , Liu Xianhu , Zhou Kun
Published: April 2021

A 2D bimetallic NiCo metal–organic framework–graphene (NiCo MOF–G) hybrid is rationally fabricated through a facile solution reaction and exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance when directly used as a LIB anode.
Elastic Rayleigh–Plateau instability: dynamical selection of nonlinear states
Authors: Pandey Anupam , Kansal Minkush , Herrada Miguel A. , Eggers Jens , Snoeijer Jacco H.
Published: April 2021

Capillary driven instability of a slender rod of soft, elastic material leads to periodic morphology of cylinders connected by thin threads or spherical beads connected by thin strings.
A mesopore-stimulated electromagnetic near-field: electrochemical synthesis of mesoporous copper films by micelle self-assembly
Authors: Lim Hyunsoo , Kim Dabum , Kim Yena , Nagaura Tomota , You Jungmok , Kim Jeonghun , Kim Hyun-Jong , Na Jongbeom , Henzie Joel , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: April 2021

The optimized mesoporous Cu films lead to strong localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) due to their intertwined 3D natures and pores, resulting in strong surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals.
Hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol by the diphosphine–ruthenium(ii) cationic complex: a DFT investigation to shed light on the decisive role of carboxylic acids as promoters
Authors: Butera Valeria , Detz Hermann
Published: April 2021

We present a quantum-chemical investigation of the CO2 hydrogenation to methanol catalyzed by the recently proposed diphosphine–ruthenium(ii) cationic complex, Ru2, in presence of carboxylic acids.
Could chemical exposure and bioconcentration in fish be affected by slow binding kinetics in blood?
Authors: Krause Sophia , Goss Kai-Uwe
Published: April 2021

The possible implications of slow binding kinetics on respiratory uptake, bioconcentration and exposure of chemicals were evaluated in the present study.
A monocrystalline orthorhombic Na0.44Mn0.9Li0.1O2 cathode with outstanding stability and negligible structural strain for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Tao , Fan Xiaowen , Zhuo Yi , Ouyang Baixue , Chen Xinxin , Liu Kaiyu
Published: April 2021

A tunnel-type Na0.44Mn0.9Li0.2O2 cathode shows outstanding stability and high rate performance via a sol–gel method.
Crystalline porphyrin-based graphdiyne for electrochemical hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Pan Qingyan , Chen Xinsheng , Liu Hui , Gan Weijin , Ding Naixiu , Zhao Yingjie
Published: April 2021

Co-Loaded porphyrin-graphdiyne (CoPor-GDY) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for HER and OER.
White fluorescence of polyaromatics derived from methanol conversion in Ca2+-exchanged small-pore zeolites
Authors: Park Hongjun , An Jae Hwan , Bang Jisuk , Ahn Doo-Sik , Ko Seung Hyeon , Terasaki Osamu , Youn Wongu , Choi Insung S. , Ryoo Ryong
Published: April 2021

Methanol was converted to white-light fluorescent polyaromatics by the catalytic effect of Ca2+ in ion-exchanged zeolite nanocages.
K2S2O8 promoted dehydrative cross-coupling between α,α-disubstituted allylic alcohols and thiophenols/thiols
Authors: Guo Guozhe , Yuan Yong , Wan Shuocheng , Cao Xuehui , Sun Yali , Huo Congde
Published: April 2021

K2S2O8 promoted dehydrative cross-coupling between α,α-disubstituted allylic alcohols and thiophenols/thiols is demonstrated for the first time, leading to a wide range of allyl sulfides in good to high yields.
Synthesis of disubstituted γ-butyrolactones and spirocyclopropanes via a multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, Meldrum's acid and sulfoxonium ylides
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , Qin Qi , Qi Zhuang , Yang Li-Miao , Kang Yun , Zhang Xiang-Zhi , Ma Ai-Jun , Peng Jin-Bao
Published: April 2021

An efficient synthesis of disubstituted γ-butyrolactones and spirocyclopropanes via multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, Meldrum's acid and sulfoxonium ylides has been developed.
Pimarane-derived diterpenoids with anti-Helicobacter pylori activity from the tuber of Icacina trichantha
Authors: Xu Ming-Ming , Zhou Junfei , Zeng Liping , Xu Jingchen , Onakpa Monday M. , Duan Jin-Ao , Che Chun-Tao , Bi Hongkai , Zhao Ming
Published: April 2021

Two novel diterpenoids and ten known analogs were obtained from the tuber of Icacina trichantha. All compounds exhibited antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori strains with MIC values ranging from 8 to 64 μg mL−1.
Supramolecular fluorescence sensing of l-proline and l-pipecolic acid
Authors: Sierra Andrés Felipe , Aragay Gemma , Peñuelas-Haro Guillem , Ballester Pablo
Published: April 2021

Fluorescent mono-phosphonate calix[4]pyrrole cavitands display selectivity in amino acids' sensing.
Bimetallic aluminum complexes bearing novel spiro-phenanthrene-monoketone/OH derivatives: synthesis, characterization and the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone
Authors: Yue Erlin , Cao Furong , Zhang Jun , Zhang Wenjuan , Jiang Youshu , Liang Tongling , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: April 2021

Bimetallic aluminum complexes bearing novel spiro-phenanthrene-monoketone/OH derivatives were synthesized, and displayed good activity toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.
Low-energy optical switching of SO2 linkage isomerisation in single crystals of a ruthenium-based coordination complex
Authors: Cole Jacqueline M. , Gosztola David J. , Sylvester Sven O.
Published: April 2021

Single crystals that behave as optical switches are desirable for a wide range of applications, from optical sensors to read–write memory media.
Tetrahexahedral PdRh nanocrystals with tunable composition as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for ethylene glycol oxidation
Authors: Tang Jing-Xiao , Xiao Liang-Ping , Xiao Chi , Tian Na , Zhou Zhi-You , Sun Shi-Gang
Published: April 2021

Tetrahexahedral (THH) PdRh nanocrystals with high-index facets and tunable composition were prepared, among which THH Pd86.9Rh13.1nanocrystals exhibited the highest catalytic activity for ethylene glycol electrooxidation.
Ti3C2Tx MXene for electrode materials of supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Rui , Chen Zetong , Zhao Danna , Zhang Xujing , Zhuo Jingting , Yin Yajiang , Wang Xiaofeng , Yang Guowei , Yi Fang
Published: April 2021

The most recent advances in Ti3C2Tx-based supercapacitor electrodes are comprehensively reviewed, with an emphasis on the vital role that Ti3C2Tx MXene plays in the remarkable electrochemical performance and related mechanisms.
Rediscovery of nanoparticle-based therapeutics: boosting immunogenic cell death for potential application in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Yang Suah , Sun In-Cheol , Hwang Hee Sook , Shim Man Kyu , Yoon Hong Yeol , Kim Kwangmeyung
Published: April 2021

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) occurring by chemical and physical stimuli has shown the potential to activate an adaptive immune response in the immune-competent living body through the release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) into the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Methods for quantifying phenolphthalein in slimming tea
Authors: Suryoprabowo Steven , Xu Xinxin , Kuang Hua , Liu Liqiang , Xu Chuanlai
Published: April 2021

Because of increasing levels of obesity and the development of social network platforms, the online sale of slimming beverages has become very common.
Tunable piezoresistivity of low percolation threshold micro-nickel wires/PDMS conductive composite regulated by magnetic field
Authors: Niu Shaoyu , Wang Shan , Yan Qilong , Han Zheyi , Lou Xiang , Li Qiyang , Wang Zongrong , Leung Chi Wah , Qu Shaoxing
Published: April 2021

High-performance flexible pressure sensors with percolative composites using aligned μNi wires as conductive fillers for clinical diagnosis.
Activating transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers as efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reactionviasingle atom doping
Authors: Tian Shufang , Tang Qing
Published: April 2021

Surface Ni/Co adatom doping and substitutional N doping can significantly enhance the ORR activity of S-based transition metal dichalcogenides.
Bending TIPS-pentacene single crystals: from morphology to transistor performance
Authors: Jiang Huihong , Peng Boyu , Liu Shuang , Ren Jie , Yang Weitao , Lin Chengce , Wu Ruihan , Chen Hongzheng , Li Hanying
Published: April 2021

TIPS-pentacene single crystals crack or delaminate with increasing tensile or compressive bending strain, respectively. Even though, the electrical performance of the flexible transistors shows negligible decline due to the intact transport channel.
Metabolic engineering of Vibrio natriegens
Authors: Thoma Felix , Blombach Bastian
Published: April 2021

Vibrio natriegens is emerging as a promising host for biotechnology which is basically due to the remarkable intrinsic properties such as the exceptionally high growth and substrate consumption rates. The facultatively anaerobic marine bacterium possesses a versatile metabolism, is able to utilize a variety of substrates as carbon and energy sources and is easy to handle in the lab. These features initiated the rapid development of genetic tools and resulted in extensive engineering of production strains in the past years. Although recent examples illustrate the potential of V. natriegens for biotechnology, a comprehensive understanding of the metabolism and its regulation is still lacking but essential to exploit the full potential of this bacterium. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the physiological traits and the genomic organization, provide an overview of the available genetic engineering tools and recent advances in metabolic engineering of V. natriegens. Finally, we discuss the obstacles which have to be overcome in order to establish V. natriegens as industrial production host.
A Pilot Single-Case Experimental Design Study of Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment for Italian Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Scarcella Ilaria , Michelazzo Letizia , McCabe Patricia
Published: April 2021

Background

The Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment is an effective intervention designed to address the planning and programming disorder found in childhood apraxia of speech. To date, no study has considered its use with children who speak languages other than English.

Aim

This pilot study aimed to examine the use of ReST treatment with Italian children. We hypothesized that the ReST approach would improve the overall accuracy of the targeted behaviors of lexical stress, smoothness, and phonemic accuracy, whereas phonemic and phonetic accuracy of untreated items would remain stable.

Method

Two monolingual Italian-speaking children with childhood apraxia of speech received therapy in 12 one-hour sessions, 2–3 times per week, using a single-case experimental design. The treatment procedures used in English were replicated in Italian with one change: In English, two stress patterns are treated. Italian commonly uses three stress patterns; therefore, the stimuli were modified accordingly. Accuracy of articulation, lexical stress, and smoothness were assessed at pretreatment and 1 day, 1 week, and 4 months posttreatment in treated and untreated pseudowords and in real words and sentences.

Results

Both children improved on treated pseudowords and real words with moderate effect sizes, but only one child generalized to untreated pseudowords. Maintenance of treatment results was observed in both participants. Articulation of control phonemes did not change.

Conclusions

ReST treatment in Italian is feasible, and a treatment effect was found, showing that its use may be valid in languages other than English. Further research is required.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14348060
The Effect of Narrative Language Intervention on the Language Skills of Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Raymond Stephanie M. , Spencer Trina D.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Narrative intervention has not been extensively investigated with children with hearing loss, but it has been shown to improve a broad range of language skills of children with a variety of disabilities and language needs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of narrative language intervention on the narrative retelling skills and vocabulary use of children with hearing loss.

Method

A multiple baseline design (for retelling) and a repeated acquisition design (for vocabulary) were used to fulfill the purpose of the study. Participants included two children ages 5 and 9 years diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, fitted to an amplification device. Each child received one 70-min session of individual narrative language intervention per week for at least 6 weeks that focused on teaching less common vocabulary words in addition to story grammar and complex sentences.

Results

Both participants demonstrated weekly increases in narrative retell scores and repeated pretest to posttest gains in the use of targeted vocabulary. Evidenced through visual analysis, both participants showed some growth in retell once intervention was introduced, with at least a modest upward trend each week. Moreover, vocabulary use scores, collected directly after intervention, showed both participants improved vocabulary use in familiar and untrained contexts.

Conclusions

Results suggest narrative language intervention improved the narrative retell ability and vocabulary use of children with hearing loss. Narrative intervention is a promising approach for promoting the language skills of children with hearing loss, but this finding requires replication.
Multiscale fully convolutional network‐based approach for multilingual character segmentation
Authors: Yu Chao , Liu Jin , Li Yunhui
Published: April 2021

Character segmentation is a challenging task for optical character recognition systems. Traditional methods usually utilize rule‐based algorithms but most of them are not applicable in modern intelligent recognition applications that require high accuracy. It is especially the case for text containing Eastern Asian language characters with complex pictograph structures, such as Chinese. To alleviate this problem, this study proposes an encoder–decoder structure‐based multiscale fully convolutional network (MSFCN) model for optical character segmentation. Comparing with other methods, MSFCN can not only effectively extract semantic details from images but also exploit boundary information of intervals between characters, thereby distinguishing characters from a background in pixel level. Extensive experiments have been conducted on two benchmark data sets of ICDAR2013 and MLCS. Obtained results prove that MSFCN achieves state‐of‐the‐art segmentation performance and indicated its practical application value.
Tracking‐DOSeqSLAM: A dynamic sequence‐based visual place recognition paradigm
Authors: Tsintotas Konstantinos A. , Bampis Loukas , Gasteratos Antonios ,   FIET
Published: April 2021

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) refers to a process that permits a mobile robot to build up a map of the environment and, at the same time, to use it to compute its location. One of its most important components is its ability to associate the most recently perceived visual measurement to the one derived from previsited locations, a technique widely known as loop closure detection. In this article, we evolve our previous approach, dubbed as ‘DOSeqSLAM’ by presenting a low complexity loop closure detection pipeline wherein the traversed trajectory (map) is represented by sequence‐based locations (submaps). Each of these groups of images, referred to as place, is generated online through a point tracking repeatability check employed on the perceived visual sensory information. When querying the database, the proper candidate place is selected and, through an image‐to‐image search, the appropriate location is chosen. The method is subjected to an extensive evaluation on seven publicly available datasets, revealing a substantial improvement in computational complexity and performance over its predecessors, while performing favourably against other state‐of‐the art solutions. The system’s effectiveness is owed to the reduced number of places, which, compared to the original approach, is at least one order of magnitude less.
Optimal device capacity planning and strategy determination in an integrated energy system to promoting IES integration considering reliability value
Authors: Gao Xueqian , Liu Wenxia
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a novel framework for optimal planning of integrated energy system (IES) that takes into account its reliability value, which aims at promoting the power grid and IES to share the responsibility of the user's energy‐supply reliability by market mechanism, thus promoting IES integration. First, an IES grid‐connected electricity purchase price estimation model considering reliability is established, based on price theory and reliability theory, to quantify the reliability incremental value of IES. Then, a two‐layer collaborative planning model, containing optimal equipment capacity configuration and strategy determination in the upper layer and optimal operation simulation and IES incremental reliability value in the lower layer, is established to coordinate the reliability guarantee capability of distribution network and IES while maximize the profit of IES. Among them, a practical approach of IES probabilistic reliability calculation is studied, considering double uncertainty and time‐series matching of generation and demand, aiming at reducing the complexity of electricity price calculation embedded in planning model. Next, the intelligent krill herd algorithm and MILP are implemented to solve the model. Finally, a case is studied to verify the effectiveness of the model, and analyse the impact of load growth rate and user reliability requirements on the planning results.
Design of adaptive bushing based on field grading materials
Authors: Zhao Xiaolei , Hu Jun , Yuan Zhikang , He Jinliang
Published: April 2021

Electrical bushings, as important power system components, are critical to the reliability of power systems. The capacitance‐graded bushing is a type of high voltage bushing that is most commonly used in current power systems. However, the limitations of and problems with capacitance‐graded bushings are exposed when the operating voltage level increases. A new direct current wall bushing with adaptive field grading materials is proposed, based on the core features of the problem that the bushing is intended to solve. The main insulation structure of the proposed DC wall bushing with adaptive field grading materials comprises three parts: a field grading layer, a current limiting layer and an electrode extension layer. The proposed bushing has characteristics that include a simple structure, small size and environmental friendliness, and it also meets the requirements of existing power systems. The proposed bushing also conforms to the intended development direction for future power equipment and will aid in the development of power systems for operation at higher voltages.
On temperature‐dependent small‐signal modelling of GaN HEMTs using artificial neural networks and support vector regression
Authors: Jarndal Anwar , Husain Saddam , Hashmi Mohammad
Published: April 2021

Machine learning‐based efficient temperature‐dependent small‐signal modelling approaches for GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are presented by the authors here. The first method is an artificial neural network (ANN)‐based and makes use of the well‐known multilayer perceptron (MLP) architecture whereas the second technique is developed using support vector regression (SVR). The models are trained on a large set of measurement data obtained from a 2‐mm GaN‐on‐silicon device operating under varying operating conditions (bias voltages and ambient temperatures) over a wide frequency range of 0.1 to 20 GHz. An excellent agreement is found between the measured and the simulated S‐parameters for both models over the entire frequency range. It is identified that the training process and prediction capability of ANN is superior to SVR. However, the SVR is more robust when compared to the artificial neural network (ANN) in term of its sensitivity to local minima and uniqueness of the final solution. Subsequently, the performances of the proposed ANN‐ and SVR‐based models are improved by incorporating particle swarm optimization (PSO) in the model development process. The PSO improves the uniqueness of the ANN model whereas it enhances the performance of the SVR by optimising its control parameters. The proposed models exhibit very good accuracy and scalability.
Network coverage using MI waves for underwater wireless sensor network in shadowing environment
Authors: Debnath Sunandita
Published: April 2021

In high permittivity media, such as underground, underwater, and biological tissues the electromagnetic (EM) wave fails to provide reliable communication due to high path loss. On the other hand, magnetic induction (MI) waves have the permeability similar to air in high permittivity medium. Unlike EM wave, in MI‐based communication the effect of shadow fading on the obtainable transmission distance is not much pronounced. However, it may not be realistic to ignore the fading effect at higher frequencies considering a constant path loss while designing the link model. A channel model for underwater MI communication is proposed in this research work. The proposed channel considers the fading effect due to presence of large obstacles such as large underwater structures or seamounts, and old sunken ship on the coverage performance of an underwater wireless sensor network (UWSN).
Lasers that learn: The interface of laser machining and machine learning
Authors: Mills Benjamin , Grant‐Jacob James A.
Published: April 2021

Laser machining is a highly flexible non‐contact fabrication method used extensively across academia and industry. Whilst simulations based on fundamental understanding offer some insight into the processes, both the highly non‐linear interactions between laser light and matter and the variety of materials involved mean that theoretical modelling is not particularly applicable to practical experimentation. However, recent breakthroughs in machine learning have resulted in neural networks that are capable of accurate and rapid modelling of laser machining at a scale, speed, and precision well beyond those of existing theoretical approaches with applications including 3‐D surface visualisation and real‐time error correction. A perspective at the intersection of laser machining and machine learning is presented, followed by a discussion of future milestones and challenges for this field.
Changing flight heading during pass to enhance SAR change detection performance
Authors: Vu Viet T. , Pettersson Mats I. , Palm Bruna G. , Alves Dimas I. , Gomes Natanael R.
Published: April 2021

Due to the wavelength‐resolution characteristics, wavelength‐resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is considered for the change detection application aiming to achieve high detection probability and low false alarm rate. However, wavelength‐resolution SAR change detection suffers from the problems caused by specular reflection of the elongated structure in the SAR scene, the dependency of radar cross‐section on incident angle of electromagnetic wave, the interference due to antenna backlobe and so forth. Hardware and software solutions are therefore desired to deal with these problems. The authors propose to change flight heading during passes as a natural solution. The proposed solution is tested with the CARABAS data using a typical SAR change detection method. The achieved change detection results show the good performance of the proposed solution, for example, the detection probability is up to 100% with the false alarm rate of 0.5 per square kilometre.
Modelling the radar signature of rotorcraft
Authors: Point Guillaume , Degurse Jean‐François , Savy Laurent , Montécot Marc , Milin Jean‐Luc
Published: April 2021

The problem of radar helicopter detection and classification requires simple and fast modelling of rotorcraft signature to aid the design of specific waveforms or to provide quality training data to machine learning algorithms. Here, we present a modular parametric model for the baseband radar cross‐section of helicopters in the narrowband approximation. Every significant element of the complex rotorcraft signature is identified and its signature is reproduced faithfully. The full model is validated by comparing simulated data with real radar helicopter data. Particularly important features, such as the overall time‐frequency response, blade flash shape and blade flash duration, are shown to be reconstructed very accurately.
Robust low‐rank Hankel matrix recovery for skywave radar slow‐time samples
Authors: Zhang Baiqiang , Xie Junhao , Zhou Wei
Published: April 2021

In skywave radar, the slow‐time samples received in a certain range‐azimuth cell are usually processed for signal analysis and target detection. Particularly, to extract the principal components, such as sea clutter and target signal, in slow‐time samples, the Hankel matrix structure and subspace‐based methods are often applied, which can also reduce the additive Gaussian noise. In the real environment, the slow‐time samples sometimes are seriously contaminated by the transient interference, affecting the performance of useful signal reconstruction. The robust low‐rank matrix recovery methods have been applied to solve this problem, where the transient interference is assumed to be sparse, following the Laplace distribution. However, the Hankel structures of useful signal and transient interference have not been fully utilized in the conventional methods, which can enhance the reconstruction performance. Here, the robust low‐rank Hankel matrix recovery problems is reformulated for skywave radar slow‐time samples and solve them with the inexact augmented Lagrange multiplier method. Additionally, the low‐rank Hankel matrix completion problem is discussed, where the location of the transient interference is determined. The experimental results have demonstrated the good performance of our proposed methods and also some interesting conclusions are obtained.
From sustainable habits to sustainable energy use: social sustainability in the context of digitization
Authors: Skivko Maria , Korneeva Elena , Korableva Olga
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the social pillar of sustainability and explores the interconnection between social habits and conscious consumer choice in digital time. In particular, the paper analyses the digital culture’s involvement in all areas of today’s human life, and its possibility to define, transform, and interpret various social values and attitudes. At the examples of “green” apps use and “green” blogs following, this paper demonstrates how digital culture offers instruments and information for the development and diffusion of sustainable habits, in particular for dealing with sustainable energy use. Moreover, some considerations regarding the benefits of digital culture for business strategies and sustainable community development through digitization are proposed.
FDG-PET basierte Bestrahlungsplanung beim Lungenkarzinom – Konsequenzen aus der PET-Plan-Studie
Authors: Moser Lutz
Published: April 2021

Die 2020 veröffentlichten Ergebnisse der PET-Plan-Studie haben zum ersten Mal randomisiert kontrolliert eine Nichtunterlegenheit einer FDG-PET basierten involved-field-Bestrahlung beim lokal fortgeschrittenen nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinom im Vergleich zur elektiven Lymphabflussbestrahlung gezeigt. In Kombination mit einer isotoxischen Dosiseskalation resultieren daraus eindrucksvoll geringe Lokalrezidivraten. Die aus der Studie abgeleiteten technischen Voraussetzungen der Bestrahlungsplanung erfordern ein Qualitätsniveau, dessen Umsetzung beim Lungenkarzinom angestrebt werden sollte und in Zukunft ein Vorbild für die Therapie bei anderen soliden Tumoren sein kann.
Positionspapier des Deutschen Netzwerk Versorgungsforschung (DNVF) zur anwendungsbegleitenden Datenerhebung nach Sozialgesetzbuch V
Authors: Niemeyer Anna , Kluge Sandra , Gurisch Carolin , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Kostuj Tanja , Olbrich Kerstin , Rau Henriette , Rauchensteiner Stephan , Stausberg Jürgen
Published: April 2021

Im Rahmen der frühen Nutzenbewertung kann der Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss (G-BA) seit 2019, ermächtigt durch das Gesetz für mehr Sicherheit in der Arzneimittelversorgung (GSAV), für bestimmte Arzneimittel eine anwendungsbegleitende Datenerhebung fordern. Daraus ergeben sich besondere Herausforderungen, insbesondere im Spannungsfeld zwischen methodischer Anforderung und praktischer Umsetzbarkeit. Das Positionspapier gibt hierzu eine Übersicht und greift dabei die durch das Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG) definierten Rahmenvorgaben sowie die seitens des G- BA formulierten Verfahrensweise auf. Im Anschluss werden mögliche Lösungsansätze diskutiert und Empfehlungen für die Umsetzung aus der Perspektive der Versorgungsforschung gegeben.
Von der Verhaltensprävention zur Verhältnisprävention – 10 Jahre Deutsche Allianz Nichtübertragbare Krankheiten DANK
Authors: Garlichs Dietrich , Bitzer Barbara
Published: April 2021

Vor 10 Jahren wurde die „Deutsche Allianz Nichtübertragbare Krankheiten“ DANK gegründet, ein Zusammenschluss von inzwischen 24 medizinischen Fachgesellschaften, um die Politik zu mobilisieren, der Welle der nichtübertragbaren Krankheiten mit besserer Primärprävention zu begegnen.

Die aktuelle Corona-Krise zeigt, dass die Politik in der Lage ist, drastische Maßnahmen, wie einen Lockdown von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, zu verfügen, um gesundheitliche Gefahren abzuwehren. Sie zeigt auch, wie wichtig ein dauerhaftes Zurückdrängen der chronischen Krankheiten ist. Die weitaus meisten COVID-19-Toten hatten mindestens eine schwere Vorerkrankung. Ohne die hohe Zahl der Vorerkrankungen in Deutschland wäre die Zahl der Corona-Opfer sehr wahrscheinlich deutlich niedriger und die Notwendigkeit drastischer Einschränkungen des zivilen Lebens geringer gewesen. Den Tsunami der nichtübertragbaren Krankheiten zurückzudrängen, ist also auch aus diesem Grunde dringend notwendig.

Die mehr als 10 Jahre andauernde Debatte über die Notwendigkeit einer einfach verständlichen Lebensmittelkennzeichnung und die jetzt erfolgte Zulassung des Nutri-Scores ist ein gutes Beispiel, dass es nicht reicht, wissenschaftlich fundierte Lösungen zu veröffentlichen – man muss auch dafür werben, relevante Informationen immer wieder im politischen Raum kommunizieren und falls nötig, politischen Druck aufbauen. DANK hat in 10 Jahren gezeigt, dass die Wissenschaft dazu in der Lage ist. Eine wesentliche Leistung von DANK bestand darin, wichtige medizinische Fachgesellschaften zu zahlreichen gesundheitspolitischen Initiativen zu motivieren und hinter den konkreten Forderungen nach mehr Verhältnisprävention zu einen.
Evaluation of a Continuous-Flow Photo-Bromination Using
Authors: Waterford Matthew , Saubern Simon , Hornung Christian H.
Published: April 2021

A continuous-flow photo-bromination reaction on benzyl and phenyl groups was conducted using N-bromosuccinimide as the bromine source inside a preparatory-scale glass plate reactor. This flow reactor system was capable of independently controlling light intensity, wavelength, and reaction temperature, hence exerting an exceptional level of control over the reaction. A short optimisation study for the synthesis of 2-bromomethyl-4-trifluoromethoxyphenylboronic acid pinacol ester resulted in best conditions of 20°C and 10 min residence time using an LED (light-emitting diode) array at 405 nm and acetonitrile as the solvent. The present study evaluates the potential for this easy-to-handle bromination system to be scaled up for chemical manufacture inside a continuous-flow glass plate reactor. The combination with an in-line continuous flow liquid–liquid extraction and separation system, using a membrane separator, demonstrates the potential for continuous flow reaction with purification in an integrated multi-stage operation with minimal manual handling in between.