bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND ITS MEASUREMENT
Authors: Hailey David , Werkö Sophie , Rosén Måns , Macpherson Karen , Myles Susan , Gallegos Rivero Verónica , Hipólito-Olivares Cecilia , Sihvo Sinikka , Pwu Jasmine , Yang Wen-Wen , Chen Yong-Chen , Perez Galán Ana , Aleman Alicia , Villamil Elena
Published: January 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to obtain information on methods used to measure health technology assessment (HTA) influence, decisions that were influenced, and outcomes linked to HTA.

Methods: Electronic databases were used to locate studies in which HTA influence had been demonstrated. Inclusion criteria were studies that reliably reported consideration by decision makers of HTA findings; comparative studies of technology use before and after HTA; and details of changes in policy, health outcomes, or research that could be credibly linked to an HTA.

Results: Fifty-one studies were selected for review. Settings were national (24), regional (12), both national and regional (3) hospitals (9), and multinational (3). The most common approach to appraisal of influence was review of policy or administrative decisions following HTA recommendations (51 percent). Eighteen studies (35 percent) reported interview or survey findings, thirteen (26 percent) reviewed administrative data, and six considered the influence of primary studies. Of 142 decisions informed by HTA, the most common types were on routine clinical practice (67 percent of studies), coverage (63 percent), and program operation (37 percent). The most frequent indications of HTA influence were on decisions related to resource allocation (59 percent), change in practice pattern (31 percent), and incorporation of HTA details in reference material (18 percent). Few publications assessed the contribution of HTA to changing patient outcomes.

Conclusions: The literature on HTA influence remains limited, with little on longer term effects on practice and outcomes. The reviewed publications indicated how HTA is being used in different settings and approaches to measuring its influence that might be more widely applied, such as surveys and monitoring administrative data.
Framing justice in REDD+ governance: centring transparency, equity and legitimacy in readiness implementation in West Africa
Authors: ISYAKU USMAN , ARHIN ALBERT A. , ASIYANBI ADENIYI P.
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the dimensions of justice in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus enhancement of forest carbon stock (REDD+) in West Africa. By paying explicit attention to transparency, equity and legitimacy (TEL) in Nigeria and Ghana, the paper examines justice considerations in REDD+ implementation with a focus on tenure. We draw on analysis of policy documents and interviews with stakeholders in both countries. Our results show that commitment to the pursuit of justice in both cases is limited when examined through the elements of TEL. Efforts to recognize the tenure rights of indigenous peoples, effective representation in decision making and transparent disclosure of information to all stakeholders were limited in Ghana by the tacit evasion of tenure ambiguities, especially in the migrant-dominated REDD+ pilot areas. In Nigeria, such limits were shown in a similar evasion and in the strategic orchestration of tenure complexities evident in the changing local forest access under a protectionist regime. We argue that explicit attention to TEL as mediating dimensions of the normative elements of justice provides important insights into how environmental policy instruments such as REDD+ might both enable and disable justice for local people living around project sites.
Standardising English names for Australian bird subspecies as a conservation tool
Authors: EHMKE GLENN , FITZSIMONS JAMES A. , GARNETT STEPHEN T.
Published: January 2017

Over the last 25 years subspecies have become an important unit of bird conservation in Australia. Some have evocative common English names which have allowed the subspecies to be vested with meaning among conservation advocates, evoking feelings of concern, loyalty and affection. This suggests that providing subspecies with stable English names can allow development of a ‘brand’ among those in need of conservation action. Also, since scientific names often change with knowledge of taxonomic relationships among birds, a stable list of standardised English names for all species and subspecies can minimise confusion and ambiguity among the public and in legislation. Here we present the arguments for creating a standardised list of English names for Australian bird subspecies and set out principles for formulating subspecies names, along with a list of the names themselves, with the aim of building the general public’s attachment to subspecies, increasing interest in their conservation and as subjects of research.
Ditransitives in Middle English: on semantic specialisation and the rise of the dative alternation
Authors: ZEHENTNER EVA
Published: January 2017

This article discusses the plausibility of a correlation or even a causal relation between two phenomena that can be observed in the history of English ditransitives. The changes concerned are: first, the emergence of the ‘dative alternation’, i.e. the establishment of a link between the double object construction (DOC) and its prepositional paraphrase, and second, a reduction in the range of verb classes associated with the DOC, with the construction's semantics becoming specialised to basic transfer senses. Empirically, the article is based on a quantitative analysis of the occurrences of the DOC as well as its prepositional competitors in thePenn–Helsinki Parsed Corpus of Middle English, 2nd edition (PPCME2). On the basis of these results, it will be argued that the semantic narrowing and the increasing ability of ditransitive verbs to be paraphrased by ato-prepositional construction (to-POC) interacted in a bi-directional causal manner.
The needs of siblings of children with a life-threatening illness, part 1: Conceptualization and development of a measure
Authors: Olivier-D'Avignon Marianne , Dumont Serge , Valois Pierre , Cohen S. Robin
Published: January 2017

Objective:

The presence of a child afflicted with a life-threatening illness is a difficult situation for the child's siblings, especially when their own needs are left unmet. The present article describes the first three phases of research involved in the conceptualization, development, and content validation of an initial version of the Inventaire des Besoins de la Fratrie d'Enfants Malades Sévèrement (IBesFEMS) [Needs Inventory for Siblings of Critically ill Children].

Method:

The first phase of the development of this instrument was conducted using qualitative methodology (focus groups: 6 siblings, 8 parents). The second phase consisted of validating the content of a pool of items developed according to the needs identified in the first phase. Some 21 participants (3 psychometricians, 3 researchers, 9 clinicians, and 6 siblings) evaluated each item for relevance and clarity. Finally, during the third phase, the acceptability and administration procedures of the preliminary version of the instrument were assessed qualitatively by five siblings.

Results:

The first phase led to production of a typology made up of 43 needs in 10 different environments. The second phase allowed for selection of the items that were clearest and most relevant, based on expert opinion. This procedure gave rise to a first version of the IBesFEMS, which consisted of 48 items.

Significance of results:

The IBesFEMS appears to be a promising tool for specifically assessing the needs of the adolescent siblings of seriously ill children.
Loss of GCN5 leads to increased neuronal apoptosis by upregulating E2F1- and Egr-1-dependent BH3-only protein Bim
Authors: Wu Yanna , Ma Shanshan , Xia Yong , Lu Yangpeng , Xiao Shiyin , Cao Yali , Zhuang Sidian , Tan Xiangpeng , Fu Qiang , Xie Longchang , Li Zhiming , Yuan Zhongmin
Published: January 2017

Cellular acetylation homeostasis is a kinetic balance precisely controlled by histone acetyl-transferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities. The loss of the counterbalancing function of basal HAT activity alters the precious HAT:HDAC balance towards enhanced histone deacetylation, resulting in a loss of acetylation homeostasis, which is closely associated with neuronal apoptosis. However, the critical HAT member whose activity loss contributes to neuronal apoptosis remains to be identified. In this study, we found that inactivation of GCN5 by either pharmacological inhibitors, such as CPTH2 and MB-3, or by inactivation with siRNAs leads to a typical apoptosis in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Mechanistically, the BH3-only protein Bim is transcriptionally upregulated by activated Egr-1 and E2F1 and mediates apoptosis following GCN5 inhibition. Furthermore, in the activity withdrawal- or glutamate-evoked neuronal apoptosis models, GCN5 loses its activity, in contrast to Bim induction. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of GCN5 suppresses Bim induction and apoptosis. Interestingly, the loss of GCN5 activity and the induction of Egr-1, E2F1 and Bim are involved in the early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in rats. HDAC inhibition not only significantly rescues Bim expression and apoptosis induced by either potassium deprivation or GCN5 inactivation but also ameliorates these events and EBI in SAH rats. Taken together, our results highlight a new mechanism by which the loss of GCN5 activity promotes neuronal apoptosis through the transcriptional upregulation of Bim, which is probably a critical event in triggering neuronal death when cellular acetylation homeostasis is impaired.
MicroRNA-466 inhibits tumor growth and bone metastasis in prostate cancer by direct regulation of osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2
Authors: Colden Melissa , Dar Altaf A , Saini Sharanjot , Dahiya Priya V , Shahryari Varahram , Yamamura Soichiro , Tanaka Yuichiro , Stein Gary , Dahiya Rajvir , Majid Shahana
Published: January 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in cancer progression and metastatic initiation yet their importance in regulating prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis to bone has begun to be appreciated. We employed multimodal strategy based on in-house PCa clinical samples, publicly available TCGA cohorts, a panel of cell lines, in silico analyses, and a series of in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate the role of miR-466 in PCa. Expression analyses revealed that miR-466 is under-expressed in PCa compared to normal tissues. Reconstitution of miR-466 in metastatic PCa cell lines impaired their oncogenic functions such as cell proliferation, migration/invasion and induced cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis compared to control miRNA. Conversely, attenuation of miR-466 in normal prostate cells induced tumorigenic characteristics. miR-466 suppressed PCa growth and metastasis through direct targeting of bone-related transcription factor RUNX2. Overexpression of miR-466 caused a marked downregulation of integrated network of RUNX2 target genes such as osteopontin, osteocalcin, ANGPTs, MMP11 including Fyn, pAkt, FAK and vimentin that are known to be involved in migration, invasion, angiogenesis, EMT and metastasis. Xenograft models indicate that miR-466 inhibits primary orthotopic tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis to bone. Receiver operating curve and Kaplan–Meier analyses show that miR-466 expression can discriminate between malignant and normal prostate tissues; and can predict biochemical relapse. In conclusion, our data strongly suggests miR-466-mediated attenuation of RUNX2 as a novel therapeutic approach to regulate PCa growth, particularly metastasis to bone. This study is the first report documenting the anti-bone metastatic role and clinical significance of miR-466 in prostate cancer.
Wide gap Chern Mott insulating phases achieved by design
Authors: Guo Hongli , Gangopadhyay Shruba , Köksal Okan , Pentcheva Rossitza , Pickett Warren E.
Published: January 2017

Quantum anomalous Hall insulators, which display robust boundary charge and spin currents categorized in terms of a bulk topological invariant known as the Chern number (Thouless et al Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 405–408 (1982)), provide the quantum Hall anomalous effect without an applied magnetic field. Chern insulators are attracting interest both as a novel electronic phase and for their novel and potentially useful boundary charge and spin currents. Honeycomb lattice systems such as we discuss here, occupied by heavy transition-metal ions, have been proposed as Chern insulators, but finding a concrete example has been challenging due to an assortment of broken symmetry phases that thwart the topological character. Building on accumulated knowledge of the behavior of the 3d series, we tune spin-orbit and interaction strength together with strain to design two Chern insulator systems with bandgaps up to 130 meV and Chern numbers C = −1 and C = 2. We find, in this class, that a trade-off between larger spin-orbit coupling and strong interactions leads to a larger gap, whereas the stronger spin-orbit coupling correlates with the larger magnitude of the Hall conductivity. Symmetry lowering in the course of structural relaxation hampers obtaining quantum anomalous Hall character, as pointed out previously; there is only mild structural symmetry breaking of the bilayer in these robust Chern phases. Recent growth of insulating, magnetic phases in closely related materials with this orientation supports the likelihood that synthesis and exploitation will follow.
Methods of analysing chemicals associated with microplastics: a review
Authors: Hong S. H. , Shim W. J. , Hong L.
Published: January 2017

Analytical approaches and methods applied to the chemical analysis of microplastics and plastic debris from the marine environment were reviewed.
A fluorogenic molecular nanoprobe with an engineered internal environment for sensitive and selective detection of biological hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Kim Myung , Seo Young Hun , Kim Youngsun , Heo Jeongyun , Jang Woo-Dong , Sim Sang Jun , Kim Sehoon
Published: January 2017

A nanoreactor approach based on the amphiphilic molecular assembly enables microscopic imaging of cellular processes and in vitro diagnostics with blood samples through selective and sensitive detection of H2S.
Oxygen-17 dynamic nuclear polarisation enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy at 18.8 T
Authors: Brownbill Nick J. , Gajan David , Lesage Anne , Emsley Lyndon , Blanc Frédéric
Published: January 2017

We report 17O dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) enhanced solid-state NMR experiments at 18.8 T.
Ligand non-innocence and strong correlation in manganese superoxide dismutase mimics
Authors: McIsaac Alexandra R. , Mazziotti David A.
Published: January 2017

Strong electron correlation plays a critical role in the reduction of manganese superoxide dismutase mimics, stabilizing a ligand-centered reduction.
Consecutive reactions of small, free tantalum clusters with dioxygen controlled by relaxation dynamics
Authors: Eckhard J. F. , Neuwirth D. , Panosetti C. , Oberhofer H. , Reuter K. , Tschurl M. , Heiz U.
Published: January 2017

The reaction of small cationic tantalum clusters (Tan+, n = 4–8) with molecular oxygen is studied under multi-collision conditions in the gas phase, and the reaction kinetics are analyzed in order to elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Effects of the oxygenic groups on the mechanism of fluorination of graphene oxide and its structure
Authors: Chen Teng , Wang Xu , Liu Yang , Li Baoyin , Cheng Zheng , Wang Zaoming , Lai Wenchuan , Liu Xiangyang
Published: January 2017

The influence of the chemical structure of graphene oxide on its fluorination reaction and on the structure of the products was investigated.
Covalent functionalization of polyhedral graphitic particles synthesized by arc discharge from graphite
Authors: Voss E. , Vigolo B. , Medjahdi G. , Hérold C. , Marêché J.-F. , Ghanbaja J. , Le Normand F. , Mamane V.
Published: January 2017

Occurrence of covalent functionalization of astralenes by radical addition.
A battery cell for in situ NMR measurements of liquid electrolytes
Authors: Wiemers-Meyer Simon , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: January 2017

Development of anin situbattery cell to monitor the liquid electrolyte by means of NMR spectroscopy.
Impacts of interfacial charge transfer on nanoparticle electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction
Authors: Peng Yi , Lu Bingzhang , Wang Nan , Li Ligui , Chen Shaowei
Published: January 2017

Interfacial electron transfer within platinum and non-platinum-based nanocatalysts plays a significant role in the manipulation of the electronic interactions between oxygen species and the catalyst surfaces, which may be exploited as an effective mechanism to enhance and optimize the activity towards oxygen reduction.
Using titanium complexes to defeat cancer: the view from the shoulders of titans
Authors: Cini Melchior , Bradshaw Tracey D. , Woodward Simon
Published: January 2017

Seeking ‘unifying mechanisms of action’ in titanium anti-cancer agents: a 40 year odyssey.
Single cell-laden protease-sensitive microniches for long-term culture in 3D
Authors: Lienemann Philipp S. , Rossow Torsten , Mao Angelo S. , Vallmajo-Martin Queralt , Ehrbar Martin , Mooney David J.
Published: January 2017

We present a powerful strategy for evading Poisson encapsulation statistics and for cell centering in single cell-laden synthetic microniches to facilitate long-term culture in protease-sensitive 3D microenvironments.
Hydrogel-enabled osmotic pumping for microfluidics: towards wearable human-device interfaces
Authors: Shay Tim , Dickey Michael D. , Velev Orlin D.
Published: January 2017

This paper describes a technique that utilizes the osmotic properties of hydrogels to passively draw fluid through a membrane and pass it along to a microfluidic network for sensing purposes.
Robust temperature change rate actuated valving and switching for highly integrated centrifugal microfluidics
Authors: Keller M. , Czilwik G. , Schott J. , Schwarz I. , Dormanns K. , von Stetten F. , Zengerle R. , Paust N.
Published: January 2017

Thermally induced underpressure for temperature change rate (TCR) actuated siphon valving, which is controlled by the rotational frequency. The TCR actuated siphon valve makes use of already present air vents for implementation at no additional cost in centrifugal microfluidics.
Self-directing chiral information in solid–solid transformation: unusual chiral-transfer without racemization from amorphous silica to crystalline silicon
Authors: Liu Xin-Ling , Tsunega Seiji , Jin Ren-Hua
Published: January 2017

Self-transfer of chiral information was found in the magnesiothermic reduction of amorphous chiral SiO2 nanofibers into crystalline Si.
Microwave treated sol–gel synthesis and characterization of hybrid ZnS–RGO composites for efficient photodegradation of dyes
Authors: Kashinath Lellala , Namratha Keerthiraj , Srikantaswamy Shivanna , Vinu Ajayan , Byrappa Kullaiah
Published: January 2017

Excellent photocatalytic activity by highly photo-responsive electron transfer from ZnS–RGO, and RGO acts as an electron reservoir and effectively suppresses charge recombination.
Fluorescent natural products as probes and tracers in biology
Authors: Duval Romain , Duplais Christophe
Published: January 2017

Fluorescence is a remarkable property of many natural products in addition to their medicinal and biological value. Herein, we provide a review of these peculiar secondary metabolites to stimulate prospecting of them as original fluorescent tracers, endowed with unique photophysical properties and with applications in most fields of biology.
Stereoisomers of oseltamivir – synthesis, in silico prediction and biological evaluation
Authors: Hajzer Viktória , Fišera Roman , Latika Attila , Durmis Július , Kollár Jakub , Frecer Vladimír , Tučeková Zuzana , Miertuš Stanislav , Kostolanský František , Varečková Eva , Šebesta Radovan
Published: January 2017

Three diastereoisomers of oseltamivir were synthesized, their properties predicted by quantum-chemical calculations and their antiviral activities evaluated.
Trithiocarbonates as intrinsic photoredox catalysts and RAFT agents for oxygen tolerant controlled radical polymerization
Authors: Fu Q. , Xie K. , McKenzie T. G. , Qiao G. G.
Published: January 2017

In this study, we reported on the discovery that trithiocarbonates (RAFT agents) can act as intrinsic photocatalyst to significantly reduce the oxygen level in a controlled radical polymerization under visible light irridation.
The in situ formation of nanoparticles via RAFT polymerization-induced self-assembly in a continuous tubular reactor
Authors: Peng Jinying , Tian Chun , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin
Published: January 2017

Amphiphilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PPEGMA-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) at 70 °C in a continuous tubular reactor.
Dual modification of TiNb2O7 with nitrogen dopants and oxygen vacancies for selective aerobic oxidation of benzylamine to imine under green light
Authors: Yu Zhuobin , Waclawik Eric R. , Wang Zhijian , Gu Xianmo , Yuan Yong , Zheng Zhanfeng
Published: January 2017

TiNb2O7 powder can be modified to an efficient visible light photocatalyst for selective amine oxidation.
A traceable and bone-targeted nanoassembly based on defect-related luminescent mesoporous silica for enhanced osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Ren Huihui , Chen Shizhu , Jin Yanan , Zhang Cuimiao , Yang Xinjian , Ge Kun , Liang Xing-Jie , Li Zhenhua , Zhang Jinchao
Published: January 2017

A traceable drug delivery system based on gadolinium-labeled mesoporous silica nanoparticles was developed for bone targeting and enhanced osteogenic differentiation.
Materials and devices for transparent stretchable electronics
Authors: Trung Tran Quang , Lee Nae-Eung
Published: January 2017

Herein, we review recent advances in transparent stretchable electronic materials and transparent stretchable electronic devices. Some representative examples that highlight the unique optical, electrical and mechanical properties of transparent stretchable materials and devices are also discussed in detail.
Facile one-pot synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indolizinium derivatives by rhodium(iii)-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative annulation via C–H activation: application to ficuseptine synthesis
Authors: Upadhyay Nitinkumar Satyadev , Jayakumar Jayachandran , Cheng Chien-Hong
Published: January 2017

Various substituted indolizidinium, quinolizinium and pyrido[1,2-a]azepinium salts were synthesized from benzaldehydes (α,β-unsaturated aldehydes) and alkyne–amines via Rh-catalyzed C–H activation.
An electrochemiluminescence biosensor for Kras mutations based on locked nucleic acid functionalized DNA walkers and hyperbranched rolling circle amplification
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Lixu , Luo Fang , Qiu Bin , Guo Longhua , Weng Zuquan , Lin Zhenyu , Chen Guonan
Published: January 2017

Herein, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for ultrasensitive and specific detection of Kras mutant genes has been developed.
N-Heterocyclic carbene stabilized parent sulfenyl, selenenyl, and tellurenyl cations (XH+, X = S, Se, Te)
Authors: Liu Liu Leo , Zhu Diya , Cao Levy L. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: January 2017

NHC-stabilized parent sulfenyl (H–S+), selenenyl (H–Se+) and tellurenyl (H–Te+) cations have been achieved by treatment of NHC chalcogen adducts with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
Tuning the stability of bimetallic Ce(iv)/Zr(iv)-based MOFs with UiO-66 and MOF-808 structures
Authors: Lammert M. , Glißmann C. , Stock N.
Published: January 2017

A series of solid solutions of bimetallic Ce/Zr-UiO-66 and -MOF-808 compounds with a varying ratio of Ce4+ to Zr4+ were obtained under mild reaction conditions within 15 min. Samples with Ce ≤20 at% exhibit an enhanced thermal stability, better resistance against acids and smaller particle sizes.
Improving the activity and stability of Ir catalysts for PEM electrolyzer anodes by SnO2:Sb aerogel supports: does V addition play an active role in electrocatalysis?
Authors: Wang Li , Song Feihong , Ozouf Guillaume , Geiger Dorin , Morawietz Tobias , Handl Michael , Gazdzicki Pawel , Beauger Christian , Kaiser Ute , Hiesgen Renate , Gago Aldo S. , Friedrich K. Andreas
Published: January 2017

Aerogel is introduced as an OER catalyst substrate for PEM electrolyzer and shows superior activity.
Effect of Dysarthria Type, Speaking Condition, and Listener Age on Speech Intelligibility
Authors: McAuliffe Megan J. , Fletcher Annalise R. , Kerr Sarah E. , O'Beirne Greg A. , Anderson Tim
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of loud and slow speech cues on younger and older listeners' comprehension of dysarthric speech, specifically, (a) whether one strategy, as opposed to the other, promoted greater intelligibility gains for different speaker groups; (b) whether older and younger listeners' understandings were differentially affected by these strategies; and (c) which acoustic changes best predicted intelligibility gain in individual speakers.

Method

Twenty younger and 40 older listeners completed a perceptual task. Six individuals with dysarthria produced phrases across habitual, loud, and slow conditions. The primary dependent variable was proportion of words correct; follow-up acoustic analyses linked perceptual outcomes to changes in acoustic speech features.

Results

Regardless of dysarthria type, the loud condition produced significant intelligibility gains. Overall, older listeners' comprehension was reduced relative to younger listeners. Follow-up analysis revealed considerable interspeaker differences in intelligibility outcomes across conditions. Although the most successful speaking mode varied, intelligibility gains were strongly associated with the degree of change participants made to their vowel formants.

Conclusions

Perceptual outcomes vary across speaking modes, even when speakers with dysarthria are grouped according to similar perceptual profiles. Further investigation of interspeaker differences is needed to inform individually tailored intervention approaches.
Integration of Motor Learning Principles Into Real-Time Ambulatory Voice Biofeedback and Example Implementation Via a Clinical Case Study With Vocal Fold Nodules
Authors: Van Stan Jarrad H. , Mehta Daryush D. , Petit Robert J. , Sternad Dagmar , Muise Jason , Burns James A. , Hillman Robert E.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Ambulatory voice biofeedback (AVB) has the potential to significantly improve voice therapy effectiveness by targeting one of the most challenging aspects of rehabilitation: carryover of desired behaviors outside of the therapy session. Although initial evidence indicates that AVB can alter vocal behavior in daily life, retention of the new behavior after biofeedback has not been demonstrated. Motor learning studies repeatedly have shown retention-related benefits when reducing feedback frequency or providing summary statistics. Therefore, novel AVB settings that are based on these concepts are developed and implemented.

Method

The underlying theoretical framework and resultant implementation of innovative AVB settings on a smartphone-based voice monitor are described. A clinical case study demonstrates the functionality of the new relative frequency feedback capabilities.

Results

With new technical capabilities, 2 aspects of feedback are directly modifiable for AVB: relative frequency and summary feedback. Although reduced-frequency AVB was associated with improved carryover of a therapeutic vocal behavior (i.e., reduced vocal intensity) in a patient post-excision of vocal fold nodules, causation cannot be assumed.

Conclusions

Timing and frequency of AVB schedules can be manipulated to empirically assess generalization of motor learning principles to vocal behavior modification and test the clinical effectiveness of AVB with various feedback schedules.
Establishing Language Benchmarks for Children With Typically Developing Language and Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Schmitt Mary Beth , Logan Jessica A. R. , Tambyraja Sherine R. , Farquharson Kelly , Justice Laura M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Practitioners, researchers, and policymakers (i.e., stakeholders) have vested interests in children's language growth yet currently do not have empirically driven methods for measuring such outcomes. The present study established language benchmarks for children with typically developing language (TDL) and children with language impairment (LI) from 3 to 9 years of age.

Method

Effect sizes for grammar, vocabulary, and overall language were calculated for children with TDL (
n
= 20,018) using raw score means and standard deviations from 8 norm-referenced measures of language. Effect sizes for children with LI were calculated using fall and spring norm-referenced language measures for 497 children with LI receiving business-as-usual therapy in the public schools.

Results

Considerable variability was found in expected change across both samples of children over time, with preschoolers exhibiting larger effect sizes (
d
= 0.82 and 0.70, respectively) compared with school-age children (
d
= 0.49 and 0.55, respectively).

Conclusions

This study provides a first step toward establishing empirically based language benchmarks for children. These data offer stakeholders an initial tool for setting goals based on expected growth (practitioners), making informed decisions on language-based curricula (policymakers), and measuring effectiveness of intervention research (researchers).
Assessing Vowel Centralization in Dysarthria: A Comparison of Methods
Authors: Fletcher Annalise R. , McAuliffe Megan J. , Lansford Kaitlin L. , Liss Julie M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The strength of the relationship between vowel centralization measures and perceptual ratings of dysarthria severity has varied considerably across reports. This article evaluates methods of acoustic-perceptual analysis to determine whether procedural changes can strengthen the association between these measures.

Method

Sixty-one speakers (17 healthy individuals and 44 speakers with dysarthria) read a standard passage. To obtain acoustic data, 2 points of formant extraction (midpoint and articulatory point) and 2 frequency measures (Hz and Bark) were trialed. Both vowel space area and an adapted formant centralization ratio were calculated using first and second formants of speakers' corner vowels. Twenty-eight listeners rated speech samples using different prompts: one with a focus on intelligibility, the other on speech precision.

Results

Perceptually, listener ratings of speech precision provided the best index of acoustic change. Acoustically, the combined use of an articulatory-based formant extraction point, Bark frequency units, and the formant centralization ratio was most effective in explaining perceptual ratings. This combination of procedures resulted in an increase of 17% to 27% explained variance between measures.

Conclusions

The procedures researchers use to assess articulatory impairment can significantly alter the strength of relationship between acoustic and perceptual measures. Procedures that maximize this relationship are recommended.
Comparative analysis of various methods for modelling surface permanent magnet machines
Authors: Ramakrishnan Kesavan , Curti Mitrofan , Zarko Damir , Mastinu Gianpiero , Paulides Johannes J. H. , Lomonova Elena A.
Published: January 2017

In this study, six different modelling methods for permanent magnet electric machines are compared in terms of their computational complexity and accuracy. The methods are based primarily on conformal mapping, mode matching, and harmonic modelling. In the case of conformal mapping, slotted air gap of a complex machine geometry is transformed to a smooth slotless air gap where analytical expression for field solution is available. The solution in the canonical domain is then mapped back to the original slotted air‐gap domain. Mode matching or subdomain method, as it is called in different sources, is using a solution of Laplace's equation to model the slotted air gap. In harmonic modelling, the machine cross‐section is divided into homogeneous regions that are represented using Fourier series and coupled with each other using boundary conditions. The boundary value problems in both the mode matching and harmonic models are solved to obtain the field solutions. The performance of the modelling methods are evaluated by comparing the global parameters such as cogging torque, electromagnetic torque, back‐emf as well as the simulation time with the results of finite‐element transient analysis.
Mathematical analysis for CSI scheme with the interpolation kernel size increased
Authors: Hong Shao‐Hua , Wang Lin , Lin Tsung‐Ching , Truong Trieu‐Kien
Published: January 2017

The cubic‐spline interpolation (CSI) scheme is known to be designed to resample the discrete image data based on the least‐square method in conjunction with the cubic convolution interpolation (CCI) function. In this CSI scheme, the improved quality of resampling can be achieved as the interpolation kernel size increases. However, the improvement of the performance gets less and less. This means that the performance of the CSI scheme has not been significantly improved and converges toward a constant value when the interpolation kernel size exceeds a certain value. A proof of this result is given in this study and has never been seen in the literature to the authors' knowledge. Moreover, this study analyses the relationship between the performance and computational complexity of the CSI schemes with different interpolation kernel sizes and compares them from a structural point of view. Simulation results indicate that it is in agreement with the theoretic derivations. Since the arithmetic operations required are increasing linearly with the increment of the interpolation kernel size, selecting an interpolation kernel size gives the best trade‐off between the performance and computational complexity in practical applications. However, the optimum choice of the interpolation kernel size depends crucially on effective demand.
Impact of on‐board tutoring systems to improve driving efficiency of non‐professional drivers
Authors: Pozueco Laura , Rionda Abel , García Pañeda Alejandro , Sánchez José Antonio , García Pañeda Xabiel , García Roberto , Melendi David , García Tuero Alejandro
Published: January 2017

Efficient driving has been positioned as the most popular alternative to reduce air pollution and obtain fuel savings. However, efficient driving requires a continuous learning process in order to prevent users reverting to their original habits. To facilitate the learning process, on‐board tutoring systems have appeared. In this study, the authors analyse in detail the impact of two types of such eco‐feedback devices on driver's behaviour. The evaluated tutoring systems include information related to the optimal engaged gear, but also related to other safety and comfort parameters. Their analysis is based on one of the largest and heterogeneous population groups of non‐professional drivers who have participated in experiments with feedback devices specifically designed to achieve more efficient driving. A total number of 158 volunteers participated in the experiments covering periods of time between 3 and 11 months and using the feedback devices during their daily routine. Results show that, in general, users evolve positively following the eco‐driving recommendations throughout the duration of the experiments. In addition, there are significant differences in the use of the tutoring system depending on the type of route, the time of day and other factors such as age or gender.
Low‐voltage ride‐thorough capability of photovoltaic grid‐connected neutral‐point‐clamped inverters with active/reactive power injection
Authors: Dehghani Tafti Hossein , Maswood Ali Iftekhar , Konstantinou Georgios , Pou Josep , Kandasamy Karthik , Lim Ziyou , Ooi Gabriel H.P.
Published: January 2017

Low‐voltage ride‐thorough capability is among the challenges in the operation of medium‐ and large‐scale grid‐connected photovoltaic power plants (PVPPs). In addition, reactive power injection during voltage sags is required by power system operators in order to enhance the voltage of the point of common coupling. The performance of medium‐ and large‐scale grid‐connected PVPPs during these events is studied. An algorithm for the calculation of current references, in the dq‐frame, during voltage sags is introduced, which considers the inverter current limitation, grid code requirements and the amount of extracted power from photovoltaic strings. The proposed algorithm uses the full current capacity of the inverter in injecting active or reactive powers to the grid during voltage sags, which leads in a better grid voltage enhancement. The performance of proposed control strategies is investigated on a 150‐kVA PVPP connected to the 12.47‐kV medium‐voltage test‐case system simulation model during different fault conditions. An experimental setup of the 3.3‐kVA grid‐connected three‐level neutral‐point‐clamped inverter with a dc/dc converter illustrates and validates the performance of the controller in injecting required active/reactive power and supporting the network voltage.
Prediction of NSCLC recurrence from microarray data with GEP
Authors: Al‐Anni Russul , Hou Jingyu , Abdu‐aljabar Rana Dhia'a , Xiang Yong
Published: January 2017

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common and dangerous type of lung cancer. Despite the fact that NSCLC is preventable and curable for some cases if diagnosed at early stages, the vast majority of patients are diagnosed very late. Furthermore, NSCLC usually recurs sometime after treatment. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to predict NSCLC recurrence, so that specific and suitable treatments can be sought. Nonetheless, conventional methods of predicting cancer recurrence rely solely on histopathology data and predictions are not reliable in many cases. The microarray gene expression (GE) technology provides a promising and reliable way to predict NSCLC recurrence by analysing the GE of sample cells. This study proposes a new model from GE programming to use microarray datasets for NSCLC recurrence prediction. To this end, the authors also propose a hybrid method to rank and select relevant prognostic genes that are related to NSCLC recurrence prediction. The proposed model was evaluated on real NSCLC microarray datasets and compared with other representational models. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Energy balance and assessment of the pressure build-up around a bolt fastener due to sparking during a lightning impact
Authors: Teulet Philippe , Billoux Tommy , Cressault Yann , Masquère Mathieu , Gleizes Alain , Revel Ivan , Lepetit Bruno , Peres Gilles
Published: January 2017

This work is devoted to the calculation of the energy balance associated with the formation of an electric arc between the bolt shank and an inner structural part of the fuselage during a lightning strike. Assessment of the pressure build-up in the confined volume around the bolt fastener has also been performed. This pressure rise comes from the temperature increase and from the mass density increase (melting and vaporisation of materials). Previous electrical measurements performed by Airbus Group during a lightning test campaign have been used to calculate the total available electrical energy. The energies necessary for melting and vaporisation of bolt and rib are derived from thermodynamic properties of aluminium and titanium. A numerical code has been developed to determine the chemical composition (under the local thermodynamic equilibrium [LTE] assumption) and the internal energy of the plasma for air-Al/Ti mixtures. Plasma and material radiation losses and heat conduction losses have also been evaluated. Finally, an analytical model has been implemented to determine the overpressure as a function of the deposited electrical energy, the energy involved in the arc formation, the energy necessary for melting and the plasma composition and mass density. With this approach, maximum pressure values are in the range 200–330 bars.
Fluorine impurities at CeO2(111): Effects on oxygen vacancy formation, molecular adsorption, and surface re-oxidation
Authors: Wolf Matthew J. , Kullgren Jolla , Broqvist Peter , Hermansson Kersti
Published: January 2017

We investigate the effects of anion doping with fluorine impurities on the chemistry of the CeO2 (111) facet, using the results of DFT + U calculations. We consider three prototypical processes: the formation of oxygen vacancies, the adsorption of O2 and H2O molecules, and the re-oxidation of the surface with fragments of the two molecules. We find that the first two of these processes are not strongly affected, but that the presence of F lowers the energy gained in the re-oxidation of the surface in comparison to the healing of an oxygen vacancy, by 1.47 eV in the case of O2 (provided that the F is part of a cluster) and by 0.92 eV in the case of H2O. Based on these results, we suggest that F could enhance the redox chemistry of ceria by toggling between being in the surface and on the surface, effectively facilitating the release of lattice O by acting as a “place holder” for it. Finally, we find that the desorption of F as either 12F2 or HF is energetically unfavourable, suggesting that F doped ceria should be stable in the presence of O2 and H2O.
Flow domain identification in three-dimensional creeping flows
Authors: Heining C. , Sellier M.
Published: January 2017

This study presents a new method to reconstruct the three-dimensional flow domain in thin gravity-driven film flows using an inversion strategy of the lubrication equation. With only the knowledge of the free surface velocity, it is possible to reconstruct the film thickness, the internal pressure field, and the topography shape. For each unknown variable, we derive the corresponding partial differential equation and present numerical algorithms for the solution. The success of the reconstruction is underpinned with examples of flows over trench and bump topographies. It can be shown that the inversion strategy is robust with respect to external perturbations in the form of noisy input data which occur in experimental setups. The proposed method is finally compared to experimental data in the literature and to numerical solutions of the full Navier-Stokes equations.
Enhanced dielectric and piezoelectric responses in Zn1-xMgxO thin films near the phase separation boundary
Authors: Kang Xiaoyu , Shetty Smitha , Garten Lauren , Ihlefeld Jon F. , Trolier-McKinstry Susan , Maria Jon-Paul
Published: January 2017

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties for Zn1-xMgxO (ZMO) thin films are reported as a function of MgO composition up to and including the phase separation region. Zn1-xMgxO (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) thin films with c-axis textures were deposited by pulsed laser deposition on platinized sapphire substrates. The films were phase pure wurtzite for MgO concentrations up to 40%; above that limit, a second phase with rocksalt structure evolves with strong {100} texture. With increasing MgO concentration, the out-of-plane (d33,f) and in-plane (e31,f) piezoelectric coefficients increase by 360% and 290%, respectively. The increase in piezoelectric coefficients is accompanied by a 35% increase in relative permittivity. Loss tangent values fall monotonically with increasing MgO concentration, reaching a minimum of 0.001 for x ≥ 0.30, at which point the band gap is reported to be 4 eV. The enhanced piezoelectric response, the large band gap, and the low dielectric loss make Zn1-xMgxO an interesting candidate for thin film piezoelectric devices, and demonstrate that compositional phase transformations provide opportunities for property engineering.
Physical consistency of subgrid-scale models for large-eddy simulation of incompressible turbulent flows
Authors: Silvis Maurits H. , Remmerswaal Ronald A. , Verstappen Roel
Published: January 2017

We study the construction of subgrid-scale models for large-eddy simulation of incompressible turbulent flows. In particular, we aim to consolidate a systematic approach of constructing subgrid-scale models, based on the idea that it is desirable that subgrid-scale models are consistent with the mathematical and physical properties of the Navier-Stokes equations and the turbulent stresses. To that end, we first discuss in detail the symmetries of the Navier-Stokes equations, and the near-wall scaling behavior, realizability and dissipation properties of the turbulent stresses. We furthermore summarize the requirements that subgrid-scale models have to satisfy in order to preserve these important mathematical and physical properties. In this fashion, a framework of model constraints arises that we apply to analyze the behavior of a number of existing subgrid-scale models that are based on the local velocity gradient. We show that these subgrid-scale models do not satisfy all the desired properties, after which we explain that this is partly due to incompatibilities between model constraints and limitations of velocity-gradient-based subgrid-scale models. However, we also reason that the current framework shows that there is room for improvement in the properties and, hence, the behavior of existing subgrid-scale models. We furthermore show how compatible model constraints can be combined to construct new subgrid-scale models that have desirable properties built into them. We provide a few examples of such new models, of which a new model of eddy viscosity type, that is based on the vortex stretching magnitude, is successfully tested in large-eddy simulations of decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence and turbulent plane-channel flow.
Rotary shear experiments under X-ray micro-computed tomography
Authors: Zhao Qi , Tisato Nicola , Grasselli Giovanni
Published: January 2017

A rotary shear apparatus (ERDμ-T) was designed, assembled, and calibrated to study frictional behavior. We paired the apparatus with X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) to inspect in situ and in operando deformation of the tested specimen. This technology allows us to observe how two rough surfaces interact and deform without perturbing the experimental conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, and sample position). We performed an experiment employing an aluminum alloy sample to demonstrate the capability of the apparatus. The sample was sheared at incremental steps, and during shearing, normal force, sample shortening, torque, and shearing velocity were measured. The measurements were associated to the μCT imagery, giving a comprehensive understanding of the deformation processes of the samples. The present contribution demonstrates that the ERDμ-T allows (1) linking the variation of physical parameters to the evolution of internal structures of the sample and (2) shedding light on fracturing and frictional sliding processes in solid materials.
Combining multi-mutant and modular thermodynamic cycles to measure energetic coupling networks in enzyme catalysis
Authors: Carter Charles W. , Chandrasekaran Srinivas Niranj , Weinreb Violetta , Li Li , Williams Tishan
Published: January 2017

We measured and cross-validated the energetics of networks in Bacillus stearothermophilus Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) using both multi-mutant and modular thermodynamic cycles. Multi-dimensional combinatorial mutagenesis showed that four side chains from this “molecular switch” move coordinately with the active-site Mg2+ ion as the active site preorganizes to stabilize the transition state for amino acid activation. A modular thermodynamic cycle consisting of full-length TrpRS, its Urzyme, and the Urzyme plus each of the two domains deleted in the Urzyme gives similar energetics. These dynamic linkages, although unlikely to stabilize the transition-state directly, consign the active-site preorganization to domain motion, assuring coupled vectorial behavior.