bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors associated with Retinopathy of Prematurity development and progression
Authors: de las Rivas Ramírez Nieves , Luque Aranda Guillermo , Rius Díaz Francisca , Pérez Frías Francisco Javier , Sánchez Tamayo Tomás
Published: December 2022

Several studies propose that Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disorder implicating many prenatal and postnatal factors. The objective of our study was to determine the incidence and the risk factors that influenced ROP development and progression. We retrospectively compiled data of preterms with birth weight (BW) ≤ 1.500 g and/or gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks, or BW between 1.501 and 2.000 g and/or GA ≥ 32 weeks with oxygen supply > 72 h or unstable clinical course screened for ROP in Regional University Hospital of Málaga from 2015 to 2018. 202 infants (44.7%) developed ROP and 66 exhibited progression (32.7% of ROP infants). In the univariate analysis, many risk factors were associated with ROP. In the subsequent multivariate analysis, GA, oxygen therapy and weight at 28 days of life, mechanical ventilation duration, non-invasive ventilation, surfactant administration and late-onset sepsis were independently associated with the development. However, oxygen therapy duration, late-onset sepsis and weight at 28 days were associated with the progression. The ROP development and progression risk factors were different. Our results are important to facilitate screening, early diagnosis and ROP treatment while reducing unneeded examinations.
Emotional eating and disordered eating behaviors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ripoli Carlo , Ricciardi Maria Rossella , Zuncheddu Ester , Angelo Maria Rosaria , Pinna Anna Paola , Ripoli Daniela
Published: December 2022

Disordered eating behaviors (DEB) are more common in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) than in peers without diabetes. Emotional eating is a risk factor for binge eating in children and adolescents in the general population and is associated with increased intake of high energy-dense foods rich in sugars and fats. The primary objective is to evaluate whether emotional eating is associated with the metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin, plasma lipids and uric acid) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and whether subjects with DEB (DEPS-R ≥ 20) have higher emotional eating than those without DEB. The secondary objective is to evaluate whether emotional eating is associated with the different symptoms of DEB. Emotional eating is positively correlated with HbA1c, total and LDL cholesterol values in children and adolescents with T1D. Subjects with DEB have a higher emotional eating score than subjects without DEB. Disinhibition is the most common disordered eating behavior in children and adolescents with T1D and is associated with a higher emotional eating score. Early identification and treatment of emotional eating could be tools for preventing DEB in people with type 1 diabetes. A total of 212 adolescents with T1D completed two self-administered questionnaires: the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) and the Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Demographic (age, sex, duration of the disease), anthropometric (weight, height, BMI, BMI-SDS), therapeutic (type of insulin therapy, daily insulin dose) and metabolic (HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, uric acid) data were taken from the patients' medical records. The presence of other autoimmune diseases was also recorded.
Acoustic speech features in social comparison: how stress impacts the way you sound
Authors: Kappen Mitchel , van der Donckt Jonas , Vanhollebeke Gert , Allaert Jens , Degraeve Vic , Madhu Nilesh , Van Hoecke Sofie , Vanderhasselt Marie-Anne
Published: December 2022

The use of speech as a digital biomarker to detect stress levels is increasingly gaining attention. Yet, heterogeneous effects of stress on specific acoustic speech features have been observed, possibly due to previous studies’ use of different stress labels/categories and the lack of solid stress induction paradigms or validation of experienced stress. Here, we deployed a controlled, within-subject psychosocial stress induction experiment in which participants received both neutral (control condition) and negative (negative condition) comparative feedback after solving a challenging cognitive task. This study is the first to use a (non-actor) within-participant design that verifies a successful stress induction using both self-report (i.e., decreased reported valence) and physiological measures (i.e., increased heart rate acceleration using event-related cardiac responses during feedback exposure). Analyses of acoustic speech features showed a significant increase in Fundamental Frequency (F0) and Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), and a significant decrease in shimmer during the negative feedback condition. Our results using read-out-loud speech comply with earlier research, yet we are the first to validate these results in a well-controlled but ecologically-valid setting to guarantee the generalization of our findings to real-life settings. Further research should aim to replicate these results in a free speech setting to test the robustness of our findings for real-world settings and should include semantics to also take into account what you say and not only how you say it.
Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zeng Jianye , Chen Dandan , Lv Chunli , Qin Kening , Zhou Qin , Pu Na , Song Shanshan , Wang Xiaomin
Published: December 2022

Polygonum chinense Linn. (Polygonum chinense L.) is one of the main raw materials of Chinese patent medicines such as Guangdong herbal tea. The increasing antibiotic resistance of S. aureus and the biofilm poses a serious health threat to humans, and there is an urgent need to provide new antimicrobial agents. As a traditional Chinese medicine, the antibacterial effect of Polygonum chinense L. has been reported, but the antibacterial mechanism of Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract and its effect on biofilm have not been studied in great detail, which hinders its application as an effective antibacterial agent. In this study, the mechanism of action of Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and its biofilm was mainly evaluated by morphological observation, flow cytometry and laser confocal experiments. Our findings demonstrate that Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract has a significant bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus. The result of growth curve exhibits that Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract presents a significant inhibitory effect against S. aureus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract exerts a potent destruction of the cell wall of S. aureus and a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of S. aureus biofilm. In addition, flow cytometry showed the ability of Polygonum chinense L.aqueous extract to promote apoptosis by disrupting cell membranes of S. aureus. Notably, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images illustrated the ability of Polygonum chinense L.aqueous to inhibit the formation of S. aureus biofilms in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that Polygonum chinense L.aqueous is a promising alternative antibacterial and anti-biofilm agent for combating infections caused by planktonic and biofilm cells of S. aureus.
Planetary transmission performance tests at very low temperatures
Authors: Sikorski Jakub , Pawlowski Witold
Published: December 2022

This article presents the results of a study on resistance to motion in a multi-stage planetary transmission, built with lightweight structural materials such as aluminum alloy 2017, with bearing nodes featuring steel ball bearings made from X65Cr14 alloy and lubricated with molybdenum disulfide powder. Details of the planetary gear construction were presented, followed by operational performance tests. During the performance tests, the temperature of the running transmission was gradually lowered with liquid nitrogen to as low as − 190 °C. The analysis covered, among others, the power consumption of the mechanism as a function of temperature. The results were compared with the parameters of the mechanisms already working in space. The measurements were carried out to confirm the applicability of the gearing in drive systems of manipulators intended to operate in open space or under extraterrestrial conditions such as on Mars.
Exploratory factor analysis determines latent factors in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Omura Seiichi , Shimizu Kazuaki , Kuwahara Motoi , Morikawa-Urase Miyuki , Kusunoki Susumu , Tsunoda Ikuo
Published: December 2022

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) has been developed as a powerful statistical procedure in psychological research. EFA’s purpose is to identify the nature and number of latent constructs (= factors) underlying a set of observed variables. Since the research goal of EFA is to determine what causes the observed responses, EFA is ideal for hypothesis-based studies, such as identifying the number and nature of latent factors (e.g., cause, risk factors, etc.). However, the application of EFA in the biomedical field has been limited. Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is peripheral neuropathy, in which the presence of antibodies to glycolipids has been associated with clinical signs. Although the precise mechanism for the generation of anti-glycolipid antibodies is unclear, we hypothesized that latent factors, such as distinct autoantigens and microbes, could induce different sets of anti-glycolipid antibodies in subsets of GBS patients. Using 55 glycolipid antibody titers from 100 GBS and 30 control sera obtained by glycoarray, we conducted EFA and extracted four factors related to neuroantigens and one potentially suppressive factor, each of which was composed of the distinct set of anti-glycolipid antibodies. The four groups of anti-glycolipid antibodies categorized by unsupervised EFA were consistent with experimental and clinical findings reported previously. Therefore, we proved that unsupervised EFA could be applied to biomedical data to extract latent factors. Applying EFA for other biomedical big data may elucidate latent factors of other diseases with unknown causes or suppressing/exacerbating factors, including COVID-19.
Current dependence of the negative magnetoresistance in superconducting NbN nanowires
Authors: Sofer Zoharchen , Shaulov Avner , Yeshurun Yosef
Published: December 2022

Magnetoresistance measurements in amorphous NbN nanowires show that transport current affects their negative magnetoresistance (nMR) in a manner qualitatively similar to temperature. In particular, the current suppresses the nMR and, beyond a certain level it eliminates the effect altogether. As the temperature dependence of the nMR effect is more pronounced at low currents, similarly the current dependence of the effect is more pronounced at low temperatures. These results are discussed in terms of the phenomenological model which attributes the nMR to the interplay between the resistance originating from the rate of phase slips via the Josephson relation and the Ohmic contribution from quasiparticles charge imbalance that accompany fluctuations of the order parameter in the nanowire.
The effects of temperature stress and population origin on the thermal sensitivity of Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) larvae
Authors: Ilijin Larisa , Grčić Anja , Mrdaković Marija , Vlahović Milena , Todorović Dajana , Filipović Aleksandra , Matić Dragana , Perić Mataruga Vesna
Published: December 2022

Increased environmental temperature is one of the most frequent stresses effecting metabolic rate in herbivorous insect species. Our goal was to compare the influence of increased environmental temperature and induced thermotolerance on the activity of midgut phosphatases and brain tissue hsp70 concentration in 5th instar Lymantria dispar larvae originating from an unpolluted and polluted forest. Induced thermotolerance (larval pre-treatment at high, sub-lethal temperature) increases the species ability to overcome the negative effects of thermal stress, therefore we monitored the effect of this regime in larvae originating from both forests. Thermal regimes in this experiment predominantly influenced the alkaline phosphatases activity and it was affected by temperature, population origin, and their combined effect. Total acid phosphatases activity was changed only by the joint effect of temperature and population origin. Brain hsp70 concentration was under a significant individual and joint effect of temperature and population. In both populations, brain tissue hsp70 concentration and alkaline phosphatases activity should be taken under consideration as a battery with biomarker potential for thermal stress in L. dispar larvae as a bioindicator species.
Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in adults
Authors: Ren Yuan , Wang Yan , Liang Ruifeng , Hao Binwei , Wang Hongxia , Yuan Jianwei , Wang Lin , Guo Zhizun , Zhang Jianwei
Published: December 2022

The study aimed to explore predictors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in adults and develop a nomogram predictive model in order to identify high-risk patients early. We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of a total of 337 adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and divided them into MPP and non-MPP groups according to whether they were infected with MP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen independent predictors of MPP in adults and to developed a nomogram model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, concordance index (C-index), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used for the validation of the evaluation model. Finally, the nomogram was further evaluated by internal verification. Age, body temperature, dry cough, dizziness, CRP and tree-in-bud sign were independent predictors of MPP in adults (P < 0.05). The nomogram showed high accuracy with C-index of 0.836 and well-fitted calibration curves in both the training and validation sets. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was 0.829 (95% CI 0.774–0.883) for the training set and 0.847 (95% CI 0.768–0.925) for the validation set. This nomogram prediction model can accurately predict the risk of MPP occurrence in adults, which helps clinicians identify high-risk patients at an early stage and make drug selection and clinical decisions.
Preventive residual insecticide applications successfully controlled Aedes aegypti in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Vazquez-Prokopec Gonzalo M. , Che-Mendoza Azael , Kirstein Oscar D. , Bibiano-Marin Wilberth , González-Olvera Gabriela , Medina-Barreiro Anuar , Gomez-Dantes Hector , Pavia-Ruz Norma , Manrique-Saide Pablo
Published: December 2022

Insecticide-based approaches remain a key pillar for Aedes-borne virus (ABV, dengue, chikungunya, Zika) control, yet they are challenged by the limited effect of traditional outdoor insecticide campaigns responding to reported arboviral cases and by the emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. A three-arm Phase II unblinded entomological cluster randomized trial was conducted in Merida, Yucatan State, Mexico, to quantify the entomological impact of targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS, application of residual insecticides in Ae. aegypti indoor resting sites) applied preventively 2 months before the beginning of the arbovirus transmission season. Trial arms involved the use of two insecticides with unrelated modes of action (Actellic 300CS, pirimiphos-methyl, and SumiShield 50WG, clothianidin) and a control arm where TIRS was not applied. Entomological impact was quantified by Prokopack adult collections performed indoors during 10 min per house. Regardless of the insecticide, conducting a preventive TIRS application led to significant reductions in indoor Ae. aegypti densities, which were maintained at the same levels as in the low arbovirus transmission period (Actellic 300CS reduced Ae. aegypti density up to 8 months, whereas SumiShield 50WG up to 6 months). The proportional reduction in Ae. aegypti abundance in treatment houses compared to control houses was 50–70% for Actellic 300CS and 43–63% for SumiShield 50WG. Total operational costs including insecticide ranged from US$4.2 to US$10.5 per house, depending on the insecticide cost. Conducting preventive residual insecticide applications can maintain Ae. aegypti densities at low levels year-round with important implications for preventing ABVs in the Americas and beyond.
Personalized visual encoding model construction with small data
Authors: Gu Zijin , Jamison Keith , Sabuncu Mert , Kuceyeski Amy
Published: December 2022

Quantifying population heterogeneity in brain stimuli-response mapping may allow insight into variability in bottom-up neural systems that can in turn be related to individual’s behavior or pathological state. Encoding models that predict brain responses to stimuli are one way to capture this relationship. However, they generally need a large amount of fMRI data to achieve optimal accuracy. Here, we propose an ensemble approach to create encoding models for novel individuals with relatively little data by modeling each subject’s predicted response vector as a linear combination of the other subjects’ predicted response vectors. We show that these ensemble encoding models trained with hundreds of image-response pairs, achieve accuracy not different from models trained on 20,000 image-response pairs. Importantly, the ensemble encoding models preserve patterns of inter-individual differences in the image-response relationship. We also show the proposed approach is robust against domain shift by validating on data with a different scanner and experimental setup. Additionally, we show that the ensemble encoding models are able to discover the inter-individual differences in various face areas’ responses to images of animal vs human faces using a recently developed NeuroGen framework. Our approach shows the potential to use existing densely-sampled data, i.e. large amounts of data collected from a single individual, to efficiently create accurate, personalized encoding models and, subsequently, personalized optimal synthetic images for new individuals scanned under different experimental conditions.
Giant injection-locking bandwidth of a self-pulsing limit-cycle in an optomechanical cavity
Authors: Navarro-Urrios Daniel , Arregui Guillermo , Colombano Martín F. , Jaramillo-Fernández Juliana , Pitanti Alessandro , Griol Amadeu , Mercadé Laura , Martínez Alejandro , Capuj Néstor E.
Published: December 2022

Locking of oscillators to ultra-stable external sources is of paramount importance for improving close-to-carrier phase noise in free running oscillators. In most of them, such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems or LC circuit-based oscillators, the locking frequency range is limited by the robustness of their natural frequency, which comes explicitly related with intrinsic parameters of the system. In this work we report the synchronization of an optically-driven self-pulsing limit-cycle taking place in a silicon optomechanical crystal cavity to an external harmonic signal that modulates the driving laser. Because of the extreme ductility of the natural self-pulsing frequency (several tens of MHz), the injection-locking mechanism is highly efficient and displays giant relative bandwidths exceeding 60%. The external modulation reveals itself as a knob to explore dynamical attractors that are otherwise elusive and, in particular, as a means to initialize a mechanical resonator into a state of self-sustained oscillations driven by radiation pressure forces. Moreover, we exploit the large anharmonicity of the studied limit-cycle to induce injection-locking to integer multiples and fractions of the frequency of the external reference, which can be used for frequency conversion purposes in nano-electro-opto-mechanical systems.
Composition-dependent catalytic behaviour of Pt–Pd alloy in transfer hydrogenation of carbonates at room-temperature
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Li Chuang , Niu Hongyu , Liang Changhai
Published: December 2022

PtPd-catalysed transfer hydrogenation of carbonate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in the absence of additives is reported, and the composition-dependent behaviour of the Pt–Pd alloy is explained.
Design, synthesis, and characterization of a new hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite with a high-Tc dielectric transition
Authors: Cai Zhuoer , Zhang Xinyi , Xiao Shiyue , Ge Shuwang , Liu Xianmin , Zhang Yinan , Chen Long , Hua Xiu-Ni , Sun Baiwang
Published: December 2022

A one-dimension hybrid perovskite of (TEACCl)PbBr3 was designed and synthesized with a Tc = 390 K.
Extraordinary microcarriers derived from spores and pollens
Authors: Zhao Danshan , Li Yawen , Zhang Zhidong , Xu Tian , Ye Chao , Shi Tianqiong , Wang Yuetong
Published: December 2022

This review showcased spores and pollens' physicochemical properties, introduced their extraction and processing methods, summarized the recent research of derived microcarriers applied in various fields, and analyzed the existed challenges.
Temperature-induced formation of Pd nanoparticles in heterogeneous nanobiohybrids: application in C–H activation catalysis
Authors: Losada-Garcia Noelia , Santos A. Sofia , Marques M. Manuel B. , Palomo Jose M.
Published: December 2022

Effect of temperature on the synthesis of enzyme–PdNP hybrids for highly efficient C–H activation catalysts.
Molten salt-mediated synthesis of porous N-doped carbon as an efficient ORR electrocatalyst for zinc–air batteries
Authors: Ma Minxuan , Liu Lilai , Xu Hao , Yang Xueying , Wang Hui , Lu Xiangyu , Yang Peixia , Wu Pandi , Liao Linbin
Published: December 2022

Porous N-doped carbon materials synthesized based on molten salts have excellent ORR activity and have good application prospects in zinc–air batteries.
Opto-mechano-thermo-sensitive allochroic luminescence based on coupled dual activators in tantalate towards multidimensional stimulus sensing
Authors: Hu Rui , Zhao Yan , Zhang Ying , Wang Xusheng , Li Guorong , Deng Mingxue
Published: December 2022

A conceptual multi-mode sensing device was constructed by embedding LiTaO3:Bi3+/Er3+ luminophors into PDMS. The film can simultaneously respond to optical, mechanical, and thermal stimuli by allochroic and dynamic luminescence.
Numerical simulation of a solar water disinfection system based on a small-scale linear Fresnel reflector
Authors: Barbón A. , Vesperinas D. , Bayón L. , García-Mollaghan D. , Ghodbane M.
Published: December 2022

This paper describes the details of the design of a solar water disinfection system based on a small-scale linear Fresnel reflector.
Biodegradable isocyanate-free polyurethane films via a noncatalytic route: facile modified polycaprolactone triol and biobased diamine as precursors
Authors: Chelike Dinesh Kumar , Gurusamy Thangavelu Senthil A.
Published: December 2022

Synthesis of isocyanate free polyurethanes was executed via catalyst free condition by polyaddition of biodegradable cyclic carbonate from polycaprolactone triol and sustainable diamines formed from linalool and isosorbide diamine by chemical approach.
Effects of morphology and size of nanoscale drug carriers on cellular uptake and internalization process: a review
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Taheri-Ledari Reza , Ganjali Fatemeh , Mirmohammadi Seyedeh Shadi , Qazi Fateme Sadat , Saeidirad Mahdi , KashtiAray Amir , Zarei-Shokat Simindokht , Tian Ye , Maleki Ali
Published: December 2022

In the field of targeted drug delivery, the effects of size and morphology of drug nanocarriers are of great importance and need to be discussed in depth.
Chiral adaptive recognition with sequence specificity of aromatic dipeptides in aqueous solution by an achiral cage
Authors: Cheng Lin , Tian Ping , Duan Honghong , Li Qingfang , Song Xiaowen , Li Anyang , Cao Liping
Published: December 2022

An achiral TPE-based cage with the dynamic rotational conformation exhibits chiral adaptive recognition with sequence specificity for aromatic l-/d-dipeptides to achieve adaptive CD and CPL responses in aqueous solution.
The molecular origin of high performance in ternary organic photovoltaics identified using a combination of in situ structural probes
Authors: Luke Joel , Jo Yong-Ryun , Lin Chieh-Ting , Hong Soonil , Balamurugan Chandran , Kim Jehan , Park Byoungwook , Lee Kwanghee , Durrant James R. , Kwon Sooncheol , Kim Bong-Joong , Kim Ji-Seon
Published: December 2022

Using a combination of in situ techniques we unravel the role of the tertiary component in the morphological evolution of a model organic photovoltaic ternary blend system and show how this results in a higher efficiency and more stable device.
Corrosive engineering assistedin situconstruction of an Fe–Ni-based compound for industrial overall water-splitting under large-current density in alkaline freshwater and seawater media
Authors: Wang Yue , Yu Wenli , Zhou Bowen , Xiao Weiping , Wang Jinsong , Wang Xinping , Xu Guangrui , Li Bin , Li Zhenjiang , Wu Zexing , Wang Lei
Published: December 2022

The synthesized flower-like Fe–Ni–O–N presents excellent electrocatalytic performance for OER. The assembled electrolyzer shows remarkable catalytic performance and stability in alkaline freshwater, seawater and industrial conditions (60 °C, 6 M KOH).
A powerful antitumor “trident”: the combination of radio-, immuno- and anti-angiogenesis therapy based on mesoporous silica single coated gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wu Lingyun , Yuan Huili , Yu Hao , Xu Jiaqi , Chen Si , Yan Senxiang , Wang Xu
Published: December 2022

A powerful “trident”, single-layer mesoporous silica coated gold nanoparticles, uniting immunotherapy, anti-vascular therapy and radiotherapy in the battle against tumors.
Non-stoichiometry and its implications for the properties of PMN–PT thin films
Authors: Trstenjak Urška , Daneu Nina , Belhadi Jamal , Samardžija Zoran , Matavž Aleksander , Bobnar Vid , Koster Gertjan , Spreitzer Matjaž
Published: December 2022

0.67[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]–0.33[PbTiO3] (PMN–33PT) epitaxial thin films were prepared by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) using ceramic targets, enriched with PbO (and MgO).
Improving Auditory Perception in Pediatric Single-Sided Deafness: Use of Cochlear Implants' Direct Connection for Remote Speech Perception Rehabilitation
Authors: Agostinelli Anna , Pegolo Margherita , Montino Silvia , Maritan Francesca , Gambalonga Mattia , Trevisi Patrizia , Brotto Davide
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) can restore binaural hearing in single-sided deafness (SSD). Direct stimulation of the CI can be obtained via the Bluetooth connection of a device to the CI, thus excluding the typical-hearing ear. This study aims to investigate the use of CI connectivity features as a rehabilitative strategy in a small cohort of children affected by SSD.

Method:

A newly developed training protocol was presented to children with SSD who have less than 2 years of experience with CI. We developed a user-friendly and short-term (six sessions within 20 days) training protocol for speech perception that patients themselves can manage independently at home using CI connectivity systems. Children were telematically tested before and after the training by trained speech and language therapists.

Results:

Four patients met the inclusion criteria. They all showed better results in the final online assessment, when compared with the initial one.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first clinical focus article presenting an auditory training protocol for SSD patients with CI using the Bluetooth connectivity systems for teletherapy. The results, although preliminary, support the efficacy of this rehabilitative strategy. Further research is needed to support our findings.
Exploring Language Development Support for Foster Children: A Scoping Review of Interventions for Foster Care Families
Authors: Lorio Ciera M. , Carta Judith J. , Stephens Nathan
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Children in foster care are at an increased risk for language delays and disorders, and foster parents can play a significant role in preventing delays in early language development. This scoping review explored empirical studies that included foster parent training programs for families with foster children under the age of 5 years.

Method:

Using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews), multiple databases were searched, and resulting article titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion in the review. Each study that met inclusion criteria was then coded for the training methods used to teach foster parents intervention strategies and the targeted outcomes of the intervention.

Results:

A total of 24 studies were identified. Of the 24 studies reviewed, all included interventions focused on increasing parent–child relationships and decreasing child challenging behaviors, but few included opportunities for foster parents to practice using intervention strategies with their foster child. None of the studies focused specifically on strategies for promoting children's language development. When outcomes across the studies were reviewed, only two focused on children's language.

Conclusions:

The results of this review point to the need for more research on language interventions that can be implemented by foster parents. The discussion focuses on the important role speech-language pathologists can play in the prevention of early language delays or disorders in young foster children.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21714311
Validity, Discriminative Ability, and Reliability of the Turkish Hearing-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents
Authors: Budak Zeynep , Isikhan Selen Yilmaz , Batuk Merve Ozbal
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to translate the versions of the Hearing Environments and Reflection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL) into Turkish and investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish 26-item HEAR-QL (HEAR-QL-26) for children and Turkish 28-item HEAR-QL (HEAR-QL-28) for adolescents.

Method:

The protocol included translation into Turkish and linguistic adaptation. The HEAR-QL-26 and HEAR-QL-28, respectively, were administered to 249 children (130 with hearing loss, 119 without hearing loss) and 249 adolescents (140 with hearing loss, 109 without hearing loss) between the ages of 8 and 18 years. To determine the internal consistency (reliability) of the Turkish HEAR-QL scale, Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) was calculated for the subcategories and the total score. We measured the construct validity of the Turkish HEAR-QL-26 and HEAR-QL-28 using Pearson
r
correlation coefficients comparing the Turkish HEAR-QL and the Turkish Child and Adolescent Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL).

Results:

The reliability for both children and adolescents (Cronbach's alpha = .973 for HEAR-QL-26 and .977 for HEAR-QL-28) was high, and test–retest reliability showed strong to excellent correlations (intraclass correlation coefficient = .980 and .979, respectively) for the total scores. In terms of known-group validity, the total HEAR-QL mean scores were lower for participants with hearing loss than for children/adolescents with normal hearing (
p
< .05). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the number of original items was sufficient in the Turkish version. Both HEAR-QL versions provided a higher area under the curve (AUC = .984 and .972, respectively) than the PedsQL (AUC = .773 and .581, respectively).

Conclusion:

The Turkish versions of the HEAR-QL-26 child and HEAR-QL-28 adolescent questionnaires are sensitive, reliable, and valid measurement tools to evaluate the hearing-related quality of life in children and adolescents aged between 8 and 18 years.
Margin‐based reliability reinforcement method for stateful logic
Authors: Li Qingjiang , Fu Xingzhi , Wang Wei , Wang Yinan , Wang Weihe , Diao Jietao , Xu Hui , Yu Hongqi
Published: December 2022

The memristive stateful logic can realize the memory and computation, thus effectively avoid the huge time and energy overhead caused by data moving between memory and computation units. However, the memristive stateful logic still faces the reliability challenges caused by the variability of memristor, which prevents it from practical applications. A reliability reinforcement method with low overhead in delay, area and peripheral circuits is thus needed to be studied urgently. This paper proposes a novel method of reliability reinforcement based on logic gates' margin. By optimizing circuit structure and driving voltage configuration, the margin of logic gates is improved to tolerant memristors' variability to the maximum extent, and thus reinforces logic gates' reliability. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the allowed threshold variability range by 42% and 92% for 2‐input NAND gate and 2‐input OR gate, respectively. Benchmark with other methods shows that the proposed margin‐based reinforcement method achieves almost the same reliability reinforcement effect, but the overhead in area and peripheral circuit is greatly reduced.
MCTSR: A super‐resolution method for defects in gas‐insulated switchgear X‐ray images based on multi‐scale contextual transformers
Authors: Liu Guote , Zhou Jinhui , Xu Linqiang , Li Licheng , Luo Bing , Chen Sijun
Published: December 2022

As the core equipment of transmission and distribution hubs, the operational status of gas‐insulated switchgear (GIS) is closely linked to the safety of the power system. Recently, X‐ray digital imaging technology has been extensively used in GIS equipment fault detection. However, the X‐ray image of GIS is blurred, which is not conducive to the detection of tiny defects. Thus, a super‐resolution method for GIS X‐ray images based on multi‐scale context transformers is proposed in this study, namely MCTSR. Firstly, a second‐order image degradation model is introduced to generate GIS X‐ray low‐resolution images that more closely resemble the real world. Secondly, a contextual transformer gate module is constructed to improve attention to tiny defects in GIS X‐ray images. Thirdly, a U‐Net discriminator network based on multi‐scale contextual transformers is intended to enrich the information of the generated images. Finally, the proposed discriminator is combined with the existing generator to compose a super‐resolution method applicable to GIS X‐ray images. The experimental results demonstrate that the method outperforms other methods in peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and structural similarity on the constructed GIS X‐ray image dataset. In addition, the output image of the proposed method facilitates the subsequent defect detection.
Forbidden hugs in pandemic times
Authors: Pastorello A. , Valerin G. , Fraser M. , Reguitti A. , Elias-Rosa N. , Filippenko A. V. , Rojas-Bravo C. , Tartaglia L. , Reynolds T. M. , Valenti S. , Andrews J. E. , Ashall C. , Bostroem K. A. , Brink T. G. , Burke J. , Cai Y.-Z. , Cappellaro E. , Coulter D. A. , Dastidar R. , Davis K. W. , Dimitriadis G. , Fiore A. , Foley R. J. , Fugazza D. , Galbany L. , Gangopadhyay A. , Geier S. , Gutiérrez C. P. , Haislip J. , Hiramatsu D. , Holmbo S. , Howell D. A. , Hsiao E. Y. , Hung T. , Jha S. W. , Kankare E. , Karamehmetoglu E. , Kilpatrick C. D. , Kotak R. , Kouprianov V. , Kravtsov T. , Kumar S. , Li Z.-T. , Lundquist M. J. , Lundqvist P. , Matilainen K. , Mazzali P. A. , McCully C. , Misra K. , Morales-Garoffolo A. , Moran S. , Morrell N. , Newsome M. , Padilla Gonzalez E. , Pan Y.-C. , Pellegrino C. , Phillips M. M. , Pignata G. , Piro A. L. , Reichart D. E. , Rest A. , Salmaso I. , Sand D. J. , Siebert M. R. , Smartt S. J. , Smith K. W. , Srivastav S. , Stritzinger M. D. , Taggart K. , Tinyanont S. , Yan S.-Y. , Wang L. , Wang X.-F. , Williams S. C. , Wyatt S. , Zhang T.-M. , de Boer T. , Chambers K. , Gao H. , Magnier E.
Published: December 2022

We present photometric and spectroscopic data on three extragalactic luminous red novae (LRNe): AT 2018bwo, AT 2021afy, and AT 2021blu. AT 2018bwo was discovered in NGC 45 (at about 6.8 Mpc) a few weeks after the outburst onset. During the monitoring period, the transient reached a peak luminosity of 1040 erg s−1. AT 2021afy, hosted by UGC 10043 (∼49.2 Mpc), showed a double-peaked light curve, with the two peaks reaching a similar luminosity of 2.1(±0.6)×1041 erg s−1. Finally, for AT 2021blu in UGC 5829 (∼8.6 Mpc), the pre-outburst phase was well-monitored by several photometric surveys, and the object showed a slow luminosity rise before the outburst. The light curve of AT 2021blu was sampled with an unprecedented cadence until the object disappeared behind the Sun, and it was then recovered at late phases. The light curve of LRN AT 2021blu shows a double peak, with a prominent early maximum reaching a luminosity of 6.5 × 1040 erg s−1, which is half of that of AT 2021afy. The spectra of AT 2021afy and AT 2021blu display the expected evolution for LRNe: a blue continuum dominated by prominent Balmer lines in emission during the first peak, and a redder continuum consistent with that of a K-type star with narrow absorption metal lines during the second, broad maximum. The spectra of AT 2018bwo are markedly different, with a very red continuum dominated by broad molecular features in absorption. As these spectra closely resemble those of LRNe after the second peak, AT 2018bwo was probably discovered at the very late evolutionary stages. This would explain its fast evolution and the spectral properties compatible with that of an M-type star. From the analysis of deep frames of the LRN sites years before the outburst, and considerations of the light curves, the quiescent progenitor systems of the three LRNe were likely massive, with primaries ranging from about 13 M⊙ for AT 2018bwo, to 14−1+4 M⊙ for AT 2021blu, and over 40 M⊙ for AT 2021afy.
Study on common aspects of the types of protection for electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres
Authors: Rad Marcel Daniel , Sălăsan Diana , Zsido Sorin
Published: December 2022

The evaluation of explosion-proof electrical equipment for certification is particularly important given the risk of explosion and must be minimized. This in order to ensure the safety of life, health of workers, to prevent damage to goods and the environment when they meet the essential security requirements at European level. Directive 2014/34 / EU states that equipment used in explosive atmospheres must be designed to operate without endangering the environment for which it is intended. This paper presents a comparison between the types of protection for electrical apparatus by comparing some common characteristics that are important for maintaining the integrity of explosion protection. Consequently, this paper intends to be the precursor of a practical guide for the selection and implementation of different types of protection on the apparatus intended for use in areas with hazard of explosive atmospheres, both for designers and manufactures.
Imaging documentation in the on-site investigation of explosion/fire events
Authors: Manea Florin , Ghicioi Emilian , Tuhuț Ligia Ioana , Șuvar Marius Cornel
Published: December 2022

Explosion/fire investigation is a procedure that involves significant resources of time and activities. The most important of the basic activities performed by the investigator/investigation team is the on-site research, which, if properly performed, allows the elaboration, foundation, and verification of hypotheses, while playing a defining role in establishing the final conclusions regarding the place of initiation and cause of the event.

For these types of phenomena, the on-site investigation is hampered by the damage caused by the event, making it difficult to identify footprints or traces, or by the disruptive effects of the extinguishing products used. The investigation is carried out in the area of the outbreak as well as in all the areas where the fire spread and aims to examine the fire footprint, the set of traces, objects, and materials present in the burnt area, seen in interaction, both with each other and with the surrounding space and environment.

Traditional verbal or written methods of presenting evidence or traces collected at the crime scene are no longer sufficient today, as technological advances are also evident in these areas. Important benefits include the coverage of the entire crime scene, which allows for complete and efficient documentation, using spherical or panoramic photography, or the use of spatial, three-dimensional scans.

This paper aims to present the important contribution made by on-site documentation activities using SceneCam Forensic imaging scanning equipment, based on a high-resolution (HDR) image capture device capable of capturing spherical, 360° x 180° images at a resolution of up to 50 Megapixels in a single scanning operation (Spheron Cam VR).
Capturing the temperature gradients of GMAW hardfacing processes by employing CFD and FEM simulation procedures
Authors: Verdete Bogdan Marian , Rontescu Corneliu , Alexandru Tudor George
Published: December 2022

Hardfacing is carried out whenever a local improvement of the mechanical properties of metallic parts is demanded. In this regard, gas metal arc welding technology is one of the most popular choices. One decisive factor of the welded joint quality is governed by the heat affected zone. The present paper proposes a simulation methodology that can be employed for capturing the temperature gradients in any location of the base metal, when such information is required. The model was developed by using ANSYS Workbench simulation software and is based on coupled CFD and Transient Thermal analysis. In the first stage, a welded sample is subjected to 3D scanning for recreating its constitutive surfaces in a CAD environment. In the next stage, the convective heat transfer occurring due to the velocity of the shielding gas is captured by means of CFD analysis. Experimentally derived temperatures are employed for developing a transient thermal analysis, having defined the exterior heat transfer coefficient. In the last stage, the simulation results are verified in an arbitrary location of the base metal that is located outside the heat affected zone.
Noninvasive Evaluation of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Perfusion Imaging and Elastography
Authors: Zocco Maria Assunta , Cintoni Marco , Ainora Maria Elena , Garcovich Matteo , Lupascu Andrea , Iezzi Roberto , Annichiarico Brigida Eleonora , Siciliano Massimo , Riccardi Laura , Rapaccini Gian Ludovico , Grieco Antonio , Pompili Maurizio , Gasbarrini Antonio
Published: December 2022

Background Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold
standard for assessing the degree of portal hypertension (PH), but it is not suitable for
routine clinical use. The recently developed ultrasonography techniques, dynamic
contrast-enhanced ultrasound (D-CEUS) and liver stiffness (LS), have expanded the
possibilities for noninvasive evaluation.

Aims To investigate the usefulness of D-CEUS and elastographic
parameters in assessing the presence and degree of PH.

Methods This is a prospective monocentric study. Patients with
liver cirrhosis referred for HVPG measurements underwent hepatic Doppler ultrasound, LS
measurement, and D-CEUS with a second-generation contrast agent. Pearson’s correlation and a
receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to assess the role of
noninvasive findings in predicting clinically significant PH (CSPH) and severe PH
(SPH).

Results 46 consecutive patients (31 men; mean age±SD: 57±11
years) were enrolled. A significant positive correlation was noted between LS and HVPG (r =
0.809, p<0.0001) with an area under the ROC curve of 0.923. A cut-off value of 24.2 kPa
best predicted CSPH with a positive predictive value of 85%. Among the D-CEUS features, the
area under the ROC curves of liver parenchyma peak intensity (PI-LP) was greater than the
other indices both for CSPH and SPH (1.000 and 0.981, respectively). A PI-LP under 23.3
arbitrary units indicated the presence of CSPH with a sensitivity and a specificity of
100%.

Conclusion A multimodal ultrasound approach based on D-CEUS and
LS might become a reliable predictor of CSPH and SPH and a useful alternative to HVPG.
Impfbereitschaft im Kontext der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Rychlik Reinhard P. T. , Beer André-Michael , Schulz Jörg
Published: December 2022

Publizierte Studien aus dem Jahr 2021, deren Datenerhebung Ende 2020 und vor der
Zulassung des ersten COVID-19-Impfstoffes Comirnaty erfolgte, fanden medial
einen großen Anklang, da sie unter anderem schlussfolgerten, dass im
Besonderen Homöopathie-Anwender einer COVID-19-Impfung skeptisch
gegenüberstünden.

Die betrachteten Studien basieren auf einer Datenerhebung, die zu einem Zeitpunkt
stattgefunden hat, der aus heutiger Sicht keine Grundlage dafür bietet,
Aussagen über die COVID-19-Impfbereitschaft von Individuen in
Deutschland abzuleiten. Der Wissensstand in der Bevölkerung
bezüglich des neuartigen Impfstoffes, dessen Wirksamkeit und
potenziellen Nebenwirkungen bzw. Impfschäden hat sich seitdem drastisch
verändert. Jenseits des ungeeigneten Erhebungszeitraumes, weist die
Studie signifikante methodische Mängel auf. So bedingen unscharf
definierte Selektionskriterien für einige Fragebogen-Items potenzielle
Verzerrungen der Ergebnisse. Bei der Fragestellung eines potentiellen
Zusammenhanges zwischen Homöopathie-Anwendung und Impfskepsis ist eine
wissenschaftlich zu fordernde Analyse auf mögliche Drittvariablen, die
zu einer Scheinkorrelation führen, nicht erfolgt. Die Korrelation dann
als Kausalzusammenhang zu präsentieren ist wissenschaftlich
unzulässig. Aktuelle methodisch valide Untersuchungen belegen zudem,
dass keine Korrelation zwischen der Einstellung zu Alternativmedizin und
Impfskepsis besteht.
Was haben wir aus der deutschen COPD-Kohorte COSYCONET gelernt und wie geht es weiter?
Authors: Kahnert Kathrin , Fischer Carolina , Alter Peter , Trudzinski Franziska , Welte Tobias , Behr Jürgen , Herth Felix , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Bals Robert , Watz Henrik , Rabe Klaus , Söhler Sandra , Kokot Inge , Vogelmeier Claus , Jörres Rudolf
Published: December 2022

COSYCONET 1 ist die derzeit einzige international konkurrenzfähige deutsche COPD-Kohorte. Die
Rekrutierung begann Ende 2010 und endete im Dezember 2013. Sie resultierte in 2741 Patienten
mit der Diagnose einer COPD, die in der Folge in regelmäßigen Visiten nachuntersucht wurden.
Diese Visiten umfassten eine umfangreiche funktionelle und klinische Charakterisierung. Auf
der Basis dieses hochwertigen Datensatzes war es möglich, eine Vielzahl klinischer Fragen zu
beantworten. Diese reichten vom Verschreibungsverhalten über die genaue Analyse verschiedener
Komorbiditäten, v.a. kardiovaskulärer Art, bis zu Biomarkern, radiologischen und
gesundheitsökonomischen Analysen. Inzwischen wurden mehr als 60 Publikationen zu COSYCONET
international veröffentlicht. Die nachstehende Arbeit liefert eine Übersicht über alle bislang
erhaltenen Ergebnisse, mit einem besonderen Fokus darauf, deren wechselseitigen Zusammenhang
sowie die möglichen praktischen Konsequenzen herauszuarbeiten. Ferner werden einige
Informationen über die Folgestudie COSYCONET 2 gegeben.