bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic damage detection in lithium-ion batteries subjected to localized heating
Authors: McGee Tyler , Neath Barrett , Matthews Samuel B. , Ezekoye Ofodike A. , Haberman Michael R.
Published: November 2022

The transition from internal combustion to electrically powered vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with some estimates predicting that 45% of new cars sold in the US will be fully electric by 2035. EVs will be powered by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This high-power application can subject LIBs to significant electrical, mechanical, and thermal abuse. Predicting and preventing thermal runaway (TR) is therefore of utmost importance to save lives and ameliorate the transition to renewable energy. Currently, battery management systems monitor cell voltage, current, temperature, and presence of gases, which does not provide sufficient advanced warning of a catastrophic event [J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 150, A66 (2021)]. This work explores the viability of evaluating cell safety by monitoring and interpreting ultrasonic signals propagating through a battery as it undergoes localized heating. We monitor different portions of received waveforms, linking them to specific propagating modes or multi-path arrivals. A finite element model is then used to understand the mode of propagation of the chosen frequencies, and the methodology is applied to both 10Ah and 60Ah cells. The time-domain features of signal amplitude and time-of-flight are used to create safety metrics which warn of TR as much as 25 min in advance of failure.
Palatalization of /d/ across word boundaries in UK English
Authors: Miller Sara E. , Brailey-Jones Austin , Renwick Margaret E.
Published: November 2022

In many spoken varieties of English, the coronal stop /d/ may palatalize or affricate before /j/, including at word boundaries; e.g., “did you” [ˈdɪdʒu], “would you” [ˈwʊdʒu]. We study this process in the large, naturalistic Audio BNC (http://www.phon.ox.ac.uk/AudioBNC). Previous studies have found that coronal fricatives /s, z/ palatalize preceding /j/ in predictable contexts and at increased speech rates, implying that palatalization results from coarticulatory gestural overlap. However, analysis of /t/ shows that palatalization to [tʃ] is a categorical stylistic variant, which is instead selected in formal contexts at slower speech rates. To determine whether [dʒ] results from gestural overlap or as a stylistic variant, we analyze /d/’s rate of palatalization using approximately 8000 tokens of /d#j/ gathered from the force-aligned Audio BNC. Tokens were impressionistically coded as palatalized to [dʒ], released as [d], or unreleased/deleted. With multinomial logistic regressioni, we test whether effects of lexical frequency, speech rate and duration, phonological context, discourse, or speaker characteristics (e.g., region, gender) predict the realization of /d#j/ in naturalistic speech. In line with previous findings, we hypothesize that [dʒ] is more likely in frequent collocations and at high speech rates, but style-driven effects of region, formality, or gender may also predict this variant.
Formant frequency variability in English schwa-initial minimal pairs
Authors: Napoli Emily R. , Clopper Cynthia G.
Published: November 2022

The label “schwa” has traditionally been used to refer to a mid-central vowel produced with a neutral vocal tract. However, “schwa” has also been used by linguists to represent a wide range of sounds cross-linguistically, which show considerable variation depending on their context. Previous research on schwa quality has focused primarily on consonantal factors that impact the phonetic realization of schwa. One understudied factor is whether or not the schwa is a function word (as in a company) or the initial syllable of a content word (as in accompany). The current production study aims to look at both ambiguous (e.g., accompany and a company) and unambiguous (e.g., accomplish and a comic) schwa-initial pairs in neutral sentences, which, up to a critical point, can be read as having either schwa variant, and biasing sentences, which are contextually biased towards one of the schwa variants. Preliminary analyses reveal that F1 at the midpoint of the schwa is not affected by schwa type, ambiguity, or sentence bias but is determined primarily by schwa duration. This result suggests that variability in schwa quality may be a result of its short duration relative to other vowels, reflecting articulatory undershoot.
The tonal system of Hengyang Xiang
Authors: Huang Yaqian
Published: November 2022

Hengyang belongs to the Hengzhou branch of Xiang Chinese; it contrasts six tones: high rising (45), falling-rising (213), low-rising (24), low level (11), mid level (33), and low-mid (22). Liu (2010) found that the falling-rising (213) and the low-rising (24) tones have merged to become a distinct low-dipping tone (214), as in Mandarin. This merger is attributed to language contact and influence from Mandarin, because it is mostly observed in frequent words and has a stronger tendency among younger populations (Liu, 2010). However, it is unclear whether this tone merger is complete, because previous reports conflict as to the number of tones in the tonal system of Hengyang (Zhong, 2011; Li, 1986; Huang, 2013). This study investigates the tonal system in Hengyang using acoustic analyses to capture the tonal differences in pitch and voice quality characteristics including spectral tilt and periodicity measures. We recorded ten participants reading monosyllabic words. The participants were from four age groups ranging from 21 to 60 years old (21–30, 31–40, 41–50, and 51–60 years old). We hypothesize that the tone merger occurs more often in frequently used words and for younger speakers. The findings will depict the acoustic spaces of Hengyang tones and show whether the merged tonal patterns are associated with particular words and/or age groups. The discussion will emphasize how language contact gives rise to tonal neutralization and sound change.
Timing of smile suppression during the articulation of labials in smiled speech
Authors: Hung Kyra , Liu Yadong , Purnomo Charissa , Gick Bryan
Published: November 2022

Past studies have shown that opposing forces on the lips can be reconciled by suppressing a smile during speech-related lip closure movements [Liu et al., 2020, ISSP]. However, the exact timing of this suppression on the smiling posture remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the onset and duration of smile suppression during labial production in smiled speech. We collected video footage of participants reading sentences that contain labial sounds (/m, f, v, b, p, w/) under three facial posture conditions (neutral, smile, laugh), and extracted short video clips of the labial sound productions. We then analyzed the extent of lip spreading in each facial posture condition using OpenFace 2.0 [Baltrušaitis et al., 2018, IEEE]. Our preliminary results show that smile is suppressed in the smiling and laughing conditions, with attenuation beginning approximately 300ms prior to labial sound production, and continuing for about 600ms regardless of conditions. Further analysis will investigate the duration of suppression after the offset of labials and will be conducted on more participants.
Understanding and characterizing speaker roles within naturalistic task-based communications: The fearless steps APOLLO-11 corpus
Authors: Chandra Shekar Meena , Hansen John H.
Published: November 2022

Naturalistic team based speech communications requires specific protocols/procedures to be followed to allow for effective task completion for distributed team members. NASA Apollo-11 was the first manned space mission to successfully bring astronauts to the moon and return them safely. Mission specialists roles within NASA Mission Control (MOCR) are complex and reflected in their communications. In this study, we perform speaker clustering to identify speech segments uttered by the same speaker from recently recovered Fearless Steps APOLLO corpus (CRSS-UTDallas). We propose a pretrained network to obtain speaker embeddings and use a framework that builds on these learned embeddings which achieves a clustering accuracy of 73.4%. We also track/tag key speakers-of-interest across three critical mission phases and analyze speaker roles based on speech duration. NASA communication protocols dictate that information be communicated in a concise manner. In automated communication analysis, individuals higher in trait dominance generally speak more and gain more control over group processes. Hence, speaker duration of primary- versus -secondary speaker and speaker turns are metrics used to determine speaker role. This analysis provides greater understanding of communications protocol and serves as a lasting tribute to the «Heroes Behind the Heroes of Apollo» as well as preserve “words spoken in space.”
Retention of devoiced vowels in Tokyo Japanese: Evidence from lip articulation
Authors: Iwasaki Rion , Roon Kevin D. , Shaw Jason A. , Tiede Mark , Whalen D. H.
Published: November 2022

In Tokyo Japanese, high vowels /i/ and /u/ are frequently devoiced when they are surrounded by voiceless obstruents. Controversy remains over whether vowel gestures in devoiced vowels are retained or instead deleted. Both static (Iwasaki et al., 2020) and dynamic (Iwasaki et al., 2022) ultrasound data have indicated that vowel-specific lingual gestures can persist even when vowels are devoiced. This study focuses on the lip articulation of devoiced vowels by examining lateral lip aperture, where lower values index a greater degree of the rounding of vowels. Native speakers of Tokyo Japanese produced nonce word pairs with the form of /C1VC2V2toko/. V1 was either /i/ or /u/. C1 and C2 were either voiced or voiceless, which determined the voicing of V1. Lateral lip aperture during the first mora was calculated by identifying facial landmarks using OpenFace 2.0 (Baltrusaitis et al., 2018), and compared across vowel quality (/i/ vs./u/) and vowel voicing (devoiced vs. voiced). Preliminary results show that lateral lip aperture is larger for /i/ than for /u/ in both devoiced and voiced environments, indicating that these vowels maintain their labial specifications even when devoiced, providing additional evidence that devoiced vowels can retain their articulatory gestures.
Curating feedback for parents based on interactions during parent–child book reading activities
Authors: Tao Sarah A. , Dutta Satwik , Hacker Rebecca , Irvin Dwight , Buzhardt Jay , Hansen John H.
Published: November 2022

Assessing child language and communication skills in naturalistic settings requires a motivating framework for adults and children to interact. Book reading is widely used by parents to interact with children, providing parents opportunities to engage children in conversation and practice communication skills. Recordings of interactions between parents and children can be automatically analyzed to provide feedback to parents to maximize developmental benefits of book reading. Encouraging children to participate actively in book reading yields gains in terms of language acquisition and improved literacy. In this study, we focus on extracting fruitful feedback from parent–child book reading activities for parents. Audio evaluated were collected by consenting families in home settings during parent–child science book reading activities. A range of parameters are analyzed to track reading/learning behaviors that include number of questions asked, number of conversational turns, number of words spoken, repetition, and vocabulary diversity. These parameters can help track engagement of story reading, including changes over time. Discussions with various stakeholders including parents, teachers and researchers will be presented. Speech technology automation of this analysis process can help parents track language development, improve communication skills, and increase school preparedness of their children. [Work sponsored by NSF Grants #1918032 & #1918012.]
Southern dialects of United States English and automatic speech recognition
Authors: Holt Yolanda F. , Walenski Matthew
Published: November 2022

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology is designed to provide more human to machine communication options. Emergent research has observed variant performance of ASR for African American English (AAE) and other minority dialects. Word prediction was observed to be better for AAE compared to majority dialects. The opposite was true for word identification accuracy. The researchers hypothesize the higher word error rate for AAE is related to phonetic factors of vowel duration, consonant production, rhythm, pitch, and syllable accent. This work evaluates that hypothesis. Recordings of two AAE and two White AE speaking women from North Carolina reading Comma Gets a Cure were submitted for transcription to the Microsoft ASR program. Several common transcription errors were noted across speaker groups with a greater variety of errors noted for the AAE women. Acoustic analyses of vowel duration, and the spectral acoustics of vowel and consonant production by talker and group will be completed. The results of this analysis will be useful to describing the specific aspects of AAE speech that may perturb the tested ASR. These data provide insight into the speech tasks and the sub and supra-segmental acoustic data that should be included in future ASR programming iterations.
Effects of semantic predictability and speaking style on phonetic variation
Authors: Song Yu Jin , Clopper Cynthia G.
Published: November 2022

Many linguistic factors contribute to phonetic reduction in «easy» linguistic contexts and phonetic enhancement in «hard» linguistic contexts. However, previous findings are mixed as to whether interactions among these factors are simply additive and as to whether their effects are differentially exhibited across acoustic domains. To better understand phonetic variation processes, we explored the interaction between two factors, semantic predictability and listener-driven speaking style, on phonetic variation in duration, f0, and vowel formant frequencies. Talkers read aloud sentences differing in the semantic predictability of the sentence-final word (high versus low predictability) to purported listeners with different linguistic competence (a native listener versus a non-native listener with high proficiency versus a non-native listener with low proficiency). Talkers produced phonetic enhancement for less predictable words and for the low-proficiency non-native listener relative to the native and high-proficiency non-native listeners across measures, but the effects of predictability and speaking style did not interact. Together, these results suggest that phonetic variation due to semantic predictability and speaking style may be additive, independent processes, rather than the result of a single listener-oriented process.
Vocal and articulatory performance fluctuates across the menstrual cycle: Acoustic analysis of daily single participant speech data over three months
Authors: Aalto Daniel , Cathcart Courtney , Brennan Riley , Cummine Jacqueline
Published: November 2022

The impact of sex hormones on voice and speech has been observed across the menstrual cycle; however, the evidence remains mixed. Here, we investigated voice and articulatory performance as a function of the menstrual cycle over three months via an intensive longterm single case experimental design. A 17-yearold naturally cycling female who did not use oral/hormonal contraceptives gave a written consent to participate in the study over a period of three cycles (i.e., 90 days). Daily urine sample test strips were utilized to identify the onset of ovulation (via luteinizing hormone, LH). Daily voice and articulation tasks including a Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) task, a diadochokinesis (DDK) task were completed. A harmonic regression analysis showed a linear learning effect for DDK rate (p<.00001) with a fluctuation of values as a function of the menstrual cycle (p = 0.024). MPT showed a cyclic fluctuation (p = 0.028) but no linear learning effect. Linear and harmonic terms for fundamental frequency (measured from MPT recordings) showed no significant patterns. Understanding hormone driven variability in speech and voice helps to inform remediation strategies that aim to minimize the impact of speech motor and voice disorders across the lifespan.
The effect of turn-taking on the kinematic properties of prosodic boundaries
Authors: Purse Ruaridh , Krivokapić Jelena
Published: November 2022

Gestures at prosodic boundaries are larger, longer, and further apart than gestures phrase-medially, and this effect is stronger for hierarchically higher boundaries. However, most studies examining kinematic properties of boundaries limit their investigation to read speech of individual utterances, so the kinematic properties of turn-taking are not known. In this study, six pairs of participants competed in a game eliciting semi-controlled interactive speech with target words at phrase-medial, phrase-final but utterance-medial, and turn-final prosodic boundaries. One member of each participant dyad was recorded in an articulatory magnetometer, and the other acted as a conversation partner. We test two competing hypotheses about the behavior of gestures at turn-final boundaries: Hypothesis 1 states that turn-final gestures show more lengthening than turn-medial gestures. This hypothesis comes from Conversation Analysis research suggesting final lengthening is used to indicate the end of a turn, and the fact that hierarchically higher boundaries generally show more lengthening. Conversely, hypothesis 2 states that turn-final gestures show less lengthening than turn-medial gestures. This alternative hypothesis is based on the idea that, since there is no imminent speech to be planned following the end of a turn, no additional lengthening is required in order to accommodate planning time.
Characterization of underwater soundscape variations pre- and post-ship shock trial underwater detonations
Authors: Madhusudhana Shyam , Klinck Holger , Seger Kerri D.
Published: November 2022

During Full Ship Shock Trials (FSSTs), a ship is subjected to a series of underwater detonations conducted at various distances to assess its ability to withstand shock waves that simulate near misses during combat. In the summer of 2021, the US Navy successfully conducted a FSST of the USS Gerald R. Ford, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, FL. We collected passive acoustic recordings during each of the three underwater detonations, using an array of bottom-moored autonomous underwater recorders—Rockhoppers and SoundTraps—that were deployed at 15 vantage positions around the three sites. While the acoustic recordings of the underwater detonations were aimed at providing the Naval Sea Systems Command valuable data for updating their underwater acoustic propagation models, it also provided opportunistic data to assess possible impacts on prevailing biota. Our analyses of the recordings included an assessment of the recorded soundscape pre- and post-trial and a characterization of relative vocal activity by large faunal groups (baleen whales, delphinids, and fish). The results provide an insight into behavioral changes in response to the underwater detonations at different distances from the detonation sites as well as valuable information for improving impact mitigation considerations during future FSSTs.
Basin-scale propagation modeling of MLS signals between Kauai and Monterey
Authors: Durofchalk Nicholas C. , Gemba Kay L. , Smith Kevin B. , Leary Paul
Published: November 2022

Long distance underwater acoustic propagation is of interest for a variety of applications including underwater navigation, yet modeling such propagation is challenging due to the large degree of environmental uncertainty. In this presentation, the propagation of 75 Hz center frequency maximum length sequence (MLS) signals emitted from a submerged source near Kauai and received at the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) observatory are modeled with the Bellhop ray tracing and the Monterey-Newport Parabolic Equation (MNPE) models. The range-dependent sound speed environment is based on historical profiles from the World Ocean Atlas database and reanalysis data from the hybrid coordinate ocean model (HYCOM). Bathymetry profiles along the axis of propagation are interpolated from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) 2021 database and the Naval Oceanographic Office Digital Bathymetric Data Base Variable Resolution (DBDB-V) data product. Simulated channel impulse responses are compared to observations for transmission loss and signal coherence.
Ultrasonic characterization of compressional and shear wave properties for additively manufactured photopolymers
Authors: Vignola Amelia , Brown Celeste A. , Sotelo Luz D. , Guild Matthew D.
Published: November 2022

Advanced applications of polymer additive manufacturing (AM) require knowledge of the material acoustic and complex elastic properties. Recently, ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) has been applied to the characterization of AM polymers; however, the available information is limited and there are little data on shear-wave and complex elastic properties. In this study, a two-sample method using ultrasonic measurements of compressional and shear phase velocity and attenuation was used to experimentally determine the complex elastic properties of 14 AM photopolymers manufactured using PolyJet systems. In this method, two samples of identical material properties but different thicknesses are measured using ultrasonic contact transducers, with the change in the time of arrival and amplitude providing the phase speed and attenuation. In order to determine the optimal thickness difference between the two samples, preliminary sets of samples were printed in a range of thicknesses, without a priori knowledge of the material properties of the AM polymers. Using a subset of these results, further analysis and optimization was conducted to better select the two thicknesses to use for each material sample. The results provided here are expected to aid in experimental design for characterization of polymers. [Work supported by the Office of Naval Research.]
The Doppler ultrasound twinkling artifact on crevices etched in silicon wafers
Authors: Kitur Eusila C. , Rokni Eric , Simon Julianna C.
Published: November 2022

The twinkling artifact, or rapid color shifts, are observed when imaging kidney stones and other mineralizations. The current theory is that scattering from bubbles in micron-sized crevices causes twinkling. Our objective is to investigate the effect of ultrasound frequency and crevice size and number on twinkling of silicon wafers. Ten or 100 randomly positioned cylindrical crevices with diameters of 1, 10, or 100 μm and depths of 10 μm were dry-etched on wafers. A research ultrasound system was used to image wafers at 5, 7.8, and 18.5 MHz; IQ data were post-processed to calculate twinkling or Doppler power. Twinkling for all crevice sizes and numbers followed the trend 5 MHz>7.8 MHz>18.5 MHz. For crevice size, at 5 and 7.8 MHz, twinkling was higher for 1- or 10-μm crevices compared to 100 μm; at 18.5 MHz, twinkling was only observed on 100-μm crevices. Increasing the number of crevices increased twinkling for 1 μm crevices at 5 and 7.8 MHz and 10 μm crevices at 7.8 MHz; no differences were noted at 18.5 MHz. These results support previous work showing twinkling is frequency-dependent and suggest that even 10, 1-μm crevices are sufficient to cause twinkling. [Work supported by SURIEA, NSF CAREER-1943937.]
Seabed classification and source localization with Gaussian processes and machine learning
Authors: Frederick Christina , Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni
Published: November 2022

Workshop ’97 data are employed for seabed classification and source range estimation. The data are acoustic fields computed at vertically separated receivers for various ranges and three different environments. Gaussian Processes are applied for denoising the data and predicting the field at virtual receivers, sampling the water column densely within the array aperture. The enhanced fields are then used in combination with machine learning in order to map the signals to one of 15 sediment-range classes (corresponding to three environments and five ranges). The classification results after using Gaussian Processes for denoising are superior to those when noisy workshop data are employed.
Underwater acoustic classification using masked modeling-based swin transformer
Authors: you Kang , Xu Kele , Feng Ming , Zhu Boqing
Published: November 2022

Underwater acoustic classification is a challenging task due to complex background noise and complicated sound propagation patterns. How to represent the signals is important for the classification task. In this paper, we propose a novel representation learning method for the underwater acoustic signals, leveraging the mask modeling-based self-supervised learning paradigm. Specifically, we first explore modifying the Swin Transformer architecture to learn general representation for the audio signals, accompanied with random masking on the log-mel spectrogram. The main goal of the pretext task is to predict the masked parts of Log-mel spectrogram and the gamma-stone spectrogram, so that the model can not only learn the local and global features but also learn complementary information. For downstream task, we utilize the labelled datasets to fine-tune the pre-trained model. On DeepShip datasets which consist of 47 hand 4 minof ship sounds in four categories, our model achieves state-of-the-art performance compared with competitive approaches. Our method obtains a classification accuracy of 78.03%, which is better than the separable convolution autoencoder (SCAE) and using the constant-Q transform spectrogram. This work demonstrates the potential of the masked modeling based self-supervised learning for understanding and interpretation of underwater acoustic signals.
Refining the metavariables of convolutional autoencoders for better performance on littoral acoustic backscattering data
Authors: Linhardt Timothy , Sen Gupta Ananya
Published: November 2022

Convolutional autoencoders have been used in an effort to learn latent encodings of littoral accoustic backscatter, but previous work did not explore a wide range of metavariable variation. Only the dimension of the encoding space, and the learning rate of the training optimizer were adjusted to achieve a functioning initial result. The other metavariables were assigned with some justification but optimality was not verified. We explore the effects of changing the method by which random weights are initialized as well as doubling the amount of random kernels per convolutional layer of the autoencoder. Additionally, we vary the layer count of the network, and the shapes of the kernels in the layers. Finally, various nonlinear activations are compared against the activation used initially. The results based on experimental field data from the TREX13 experiment will be presented. [This work is sponsored by ONR grant N00174-20-1-0016.]
Increased Expression of Efflux Pump
norA
Drives the Rapid Evolutionary Trajectory from Tolerance to Resistance against Ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yu X. H. , Hao Z. H. , Liu P. L. , Liu M. M. , Zhao L. L. , Zhao X.
Published: November 2022

The intensively intermittent use of antibiotics promotes the rapid evolution of tolerance, which may lead to resistance acquisition in the following evolutionary trajectory. In addition to directly exporting antibiotics as an instant resistance strategy, efflux pumps are overexpressed in tolerant strains.
Characterization of the Cytopathic Effects of Monkeypox Virus Isolated from Clinical Specimens and Differentiation from Common Viral Exanthems
Authors: Ma Angela , Langer Janine , Hanson Kimberly E. , Bradley Benjamin T.
Published: November 2022

While the practice of viral culture has largely been replaced by nucleic acid amplification tests, circumstances still exist in which the availability of viral culture will allow for the diagnosis of infections not included in a provider’s differential diagnosis. Here, we examine the cytopathic effects (CPE) and clinical data associated with 18 cases of monkeypox virus (MPXV) isolated from 19 clinical samples submitted for viral culture.
Phage Therapy for Mosquito Larval Control: a Proof-of-Principle Study
Authors: Tikhe Chinmay V. , Dimopoulos George
Published: November 2022

Mosquitoes are efficient vectors of multiple human and animal pathogens. The biology of mosquitoes is strongly affected by their associated microbiota.
Directed Evolution Detects Supernumerary Centric Chromosomes Conferring Resistance to Azoles in Candida auris
Authors: Narayanan Aswathy , Kumar Praveen , Chauhan Anshu , Kumar Mohit , Yadav Kusum , Banerjee Atanu , Sharma Ravi Datta , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash M. , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Sanyal Kaustuv , Prasad Rajendra
Published: November 2022

Fungal pathogens develop drug resistance through multiple pathways by acquiring gene mutations, increasing the copy number of genes, or altering gene expression. In this study, we attempt to understand the mechanisms of drug resistance in the recently emerged superbug,
C. auris
.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Rhodoluna
sp. Strains KAS3 and KACHI23, Isolated from Lake and River Surface Water
Authors: Ogata Yusuke , Watanabe Keiji , Takemine Shusuke , Kaida Kaoru , Tanokura Maki , Suda Wataru
Published: November 2022

The genus
Rhodoluna
belongs to the ubiquitous freshwater bacterioplankton tribe Luna1-A2. Here, we report the complete sequences of
Rhodoluna
sp. strains KAS3 and KACHI23, which were isolated from freshwater lake and river surface water in Japan.
Systems Biology of Aromatic Compound Catabolism in Facultative Anaerobic
Aromatoleum aromaticum
EbN1
T
Authors: Becker Patrick , Kirstein Sarah , Wünsch Daniel , Koblitz Julia , Buschen Ramona , Wöhlbrand Lars , Bunk Boyke , Hinrichs Christina , Kaltenhäuser Sabine , Lehmann Jochen , Martens Gesa , Ripken Britta Katrin , Riemer S. Alexander , Stoltenberg Philipp , Thies Daniela , Trautwein Kathleen , Wenzel Esther V. , Schomburg Ida , Winklhofer Michael , Schomburg Dietmar , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Rabus Ralf
Published: November 2022

Aromatic compounds are abundant constituents not only of natural organic matter but also of bulk industrial chemicals and fuel components of environmental concern. Considering the widespread occurrence of redox gradients in the biosphere, facultative anaerobic degradation specialists can be assumed to play a prominent role in the natural mineralization of organic matter and in bioremediation at contaminated sites.
Generation of an Attenuated Chimeric Bat Influenza A Virus Live-Vaccine Prototype
Authors: Ran Wei , Schön Jacob , Ciminski Kevin , Kraft Julian , Kessler Susanne , Euchner Sophie , Hoffmann Donata , Pohlmann Anne , Beer Martin , Schwemmle Martin , Giese Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Recurring influenza A virus outbreaks in livestock, particularly in swine and chickens, pose a constant threat to humans. Live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) might be a potent tool to prevent epizootic outbreaks and the resulting human IAV infections; however, LAIVs have several disadvantages, especially in terms of reassortment with circulating IAVs.
Essential Paralogous Proteins as Potential Antibiotic Multitargets in Escherichia coli
Authors: Hardy Christine D.
Published: November 2022

Many types of bacteria have gained resistance to existing antibiotics used in medicine today. Therefore, new antibiotics with novel mechanisms must continue to be developed.
Anti-Arbovirus Antibodies Cross-React With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
Authors: Hunsawong Taweewun , Buddhari Darunee , Rungrojcharoenkit Kamonthip , Suthangkornkul Rungarun , Mongkolsirichaikul Duangrat , Lohachanakul Jindarat , Tayong Kedsara , Sirikajornpan Kanittha , Rodpradit Prinyada , Poolpanichupatam Yongyuth , Klungthong Chonticha , Utennam Darunee , Kaewhiran Surachai , Cotrone Thomas S. , Fernandez Stefan , Jones Anthony R.
Published: November 2022

SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause significant morbidity globally, including in areas where DENV and CHIKV are endemic. Reports using rapid diagnostic and ELISAs have demonstrated that serological cross-reactivity between DENV and SARS-CoV-2 can occur.
Outer Membrane Porin F in E. coli Is Critical for Effective Predation by
Bdellovibrio
Authors: Mun Wonsik , Upatissa Sumudu , Lim Sungbin , Dwidar Mohammed , Mitchell Robert J.
Published: November 2022

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
and like organisms (BALOs) are Gram-negative predatory bacteria that attack other Gram-negative bacteria by penetrating their periplasm and consuming them from within to obtain the nutrients necessary for the predator’s growth and replication. How these predators recognize their prey, however, has remained a mystery.
Genetic Manipulation of Desulfovibrio ferrophilus and Evaluation of Fe(III) Oxide Reduction Mechanisms
Authors: Ueki Toshiyuki , Woodard Trevor L. , Lovley Derek R.
Published: November 2022

Desulfovibrio ferrophilus
is an important pure culture model for Fe(III) oxide reduction and the corrosion of iron-containing metals in anaerobic marine environments. This study demonstrates that
D. ferrophilus
is genetically tractable, an important advance for elucidating the mechanisms by which it interacts with extracellular electron acceptors and donors.
Problem of Blocking a Technogenic Fracture in the Reservoir Using a Suspension Mixture
Authors: Gil’manov A. Ya. , Fedorov K. M. , Shevelev A. P.
Published: November 2022

The solution of the problem of blocking a technogenic fracture in the reservoir by a suspension mixture is considered. The mathematical model based on the mass conservation laws for the disperse particles and carrier fluid is used. The flow velocity of disperse particles through the fracture is calculated from the Poiseuille law and the carrier fluid outflow to the reservoir is described by Darcy’s law. It is found that the leading front of suspension slug corresponds to a contact discontinuity. It is shown that a reflected wave in the form of a discontinuity of the volume fraction of disperse particles begins to move counter the flow when the front of suspension slug reaches the fracture end and the fracture begins to be blocked up from this end. It is established that the movement of the reverse wave is gradually slowing down; therefore, blocking the entire fracture is turned out to be problematic.
Repulsion of a Néel-Type Skyrmion from a Pearl Vortex in Thin Ferromagnet–Superconductor Heterostructures
Authors: Andriyakhina E. S. , Apostoloff S. , Burmistrov I. S.
Published: November 2022

In this paper we study repulsion of a Néel-type skyrmion in a chiral ferromagnetic film from a superconducting Pearl vortex due to the stray fields. Taking into account an effect of the vortex magnetic field on the skyrmion non-perturbatively, we find that the repulsion between them is suppressed with increase in the dimensionless strength of the vortex magnetic field. This manifests itself in complicated evolution of the free energy with increase in the vortex magnetic field and reduction of the equilibrium distance between the centers of Néel-type skyrmion and Pearl vortex.
Acute appendicitis and ulcerative colitis: a population-based sibling comparison study
Authors: Garcia-Argibay Miguel , Hiyoshi Ayako , Montgomery Scott
Published: November 2022

Objective

To assess the inverse relationship between acute appendicitis and ulcerative colitis (UC) using a sibling comparison design to adjust for unmeasured familial genetic and environmental factors.

Design

The cohort comprised 3.1 million individuals resident in Sweden between 1984 and 2018 with the linkage of several Swedish national registers. Fitting Cox hazards models, we calculated the risk for developing UC in individuals with and without acute appendicitis by the age 20 years adjusting for several potential confounding factors. Further, we performed sibling-stratified analyses to adjust for shared unmeasured familial confounding factors.

Results

During 57.7 million person-years of follow-up, 20 848/3 125 232 developed UC among those without appendicitis (3.63 (3.59–3.68) per 10 000 person-years), whereas only 59/35 848 people developed UC among those with appendicitis before age 20 years (1.66 (1.28–2.14) per 10 000 person-years). We found a decreased risk for developing UC in those with acute appendicitis by the age 20 years compared with individuals who did not have appendicitis by this age (HR=0.37 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.48)). When adjusting for shared familial confounders, we observed only a slight attenuation in this association (HR=0.46 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.66)).

Conclusion

Individuals who had acute appendicitis by late adolescence showed a decreased risk for developing UC compared with those who did not. Genetic and shared familial environmental factors seem to potentially play only a small role in this relationship. Our results suggest an independent association of acute appendicitis, or its underlying causes, with UC risk.
Tracking progress towards universal health coverage for essential health services in China, 2008–2018
Authors: Feng Xing Lin , Zhang Yaoguang , Hu Xuhuai , Ronsmans Carine
Published: November 2022

Introduction

We comprehensively evaluate whether the Chinese Government’s goal of ensuring Universal Health Coverage for essential health services has been achieved.

Methods

We used data from the 2008, 2013 and 2018 National Health Services Survey to report on the coverage of a range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator 3.8.1. We created per capita household income deciles for urban and rural samples separately. We report time trends in coverage and the slope index (SII) and relative index (RII).

Results

Despite much lower levels of income and education, rural populations made as much progress as their urban counterparts for most interventions. Coverage of maternal and child health interventions increased substantially in urban and rural areas, with decreasing rich-poor inequalities except for antenatal care. In rural China, one-fifth women could not access 5 or more antenatal visits. Coverage of 8 or more visits were 34% and 68%, respectively in decile D1 (the poorest) and decile D10 (the richest) (SII 35% (95% CI 22% to 48%)). More than 90% households had access to clean water, but basic sanitation was poor for rural households and the urban poorest, presenting bottom inequality. Effective coverage for non-communicable diseases was low. Medication for hypertension and diabetes were relatively high (>70%). But adequate management, counting in preventive interventions, were much lower and decreased overtime, although inequalities were small in size. Screening of cervical and breast cancer was low in both urban and rural areas, seeing no progress overtime. Cervical cancer screening was only 29% (urban) and 24% (rural) in 2018, presenting persisted top inequalities (SII 25% urban, 14% rural).

Conclusion

China has made commendable progress in protecting the poorest for basic care. However, the ‘leaving no one behind’ agenda needs a strategy targeting the entire population rather than only the poorest. Blunt investing in primary healthcare facilities seems neither effective nor efficient.
Celecoxib versus placebo as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual in children and youth with obsessive–compulsive disorder: protocol for a single-site randomised quadruple-blind phase II study
Authors: Westwell-Roper Clara , Best John R , Elbe Dean , MacFadden Megan , Baer Susan , Tucker Lori , Au Antony , Naqqash Zainab , Lin Boyee , Lu Cynthia , Stewart S Evelyn
Published: November 2022

Background

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes oxidise arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which modulate neuronal function and inflammation in the central nervous system. Consensus guidelines suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a possible adjunctive approach in adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and in children with acute-onset OCD subtypes. However, there is limited evidence to support this approach. The primary objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of the COX-2-selective inhibitor celecoxib as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual in children and youth with moderate-to-severe OCD. The safety of this intervention including adverse events will also be systematically assessed.

Methods

TheAdjunctiveCElecoxib in childhood-onsetOCD(ACE-OCD) study is a single-centre randomised, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled superiority trial with two parallel groups: celecoxib 100 mg twice daily and placebo. Treatments will be added to participants’ routine clinical care, which will not change over the course of the study. Target recruitment is 80 participants ages 7–18 with no recent treatment changes. The primary outcome is OCD severity after 12 weeks of treatment, measured by clinician-administered Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Secondary outcomes include CY-BOCS score after 6 weeks; difference in the proportion of participants achieving a clinically meaningful response or remission; mean clinical global impression of severity and improvement after 6 and 12 weeks; and proportion of participants reporting adverse events possibly or probably related to the study intervention. The primary analyses, carried out according to intention-to-treat principles, will compare the celecoxib to placebo group on each outcome of interest, adjusting for baseline scores using analysis of covariance or logistic regression. Participants will be offered a 12-week open-label celecoxib extension and will be invited to participate in an ancillary study for biomarker analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the University of British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Research Ethics Board and has received a No Objection Letter from Health Canada. The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presentations to multiple stakeholders including patients, parents and healthcare providers.

Trial registration number

NCT04673578.
Impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on the subsequent incidence of COVID-19: a multicentre prospective cohort study among UK healthcare workers – the SIREN (Sarscov2 Immunity & REinfection EvaluatioN) study protocol
Authors: Wallace Sarah , Hall Victoria , Charlett Andre , Kirwan Peter D , Cole Michele , Gillson Natalie , Atti Ana , Timeyin Jean , Foulkes Sarah , Taylor-Kerr Andrew , Andrews Nick , Shrotri Madhumita , Rokadiya Sakib , Oguti Blanche , Vusirikala Amoolya , Islam Jasmin , Zambon Maria , Brooks Tim J G , Ramsay Mary , Brown Colin S , Chand Meera , Hopkins Susan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Understanding the effectiveness and durability of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection conferred by previous infection and COVID-19 is essential to inform ongoing management of the pandemic. This study aims to determine whether prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers protects against future infection.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective cohort study design in staff members working in hospitals in the UK. At enrolment, participants are allocated into cohorts, positive or naïve, dependent on their prior SARS-CoV-2 infection status, as measured by standardised SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing on all baseline serum samples and previous SARS-CoV-2 test results. Participants undergo monthly antibody testing and fortnightly viral RNA testing during follow-up and based on these results may move between cohorts. Any results from testing undertaken for other reasons (eg, symptoms, contact tracing) or prior to study entry will also be captured. Individuals complete enrolment and fortnightly questionnaires on exposures, symptoms and vaccination. Follow-up is 12 months from study entry, with an option to extend follow-up to 24 months.

The primary outcome of interest is infection with SARS-CoV-2 after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination during the study period. Secondary outcomes include incidence and prevalence (both RNA and antibody) of SARS-CoV-2, viral genomics, viral culture, symptom history and antibody/neutralising antibody titres.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, Health Research Authority (IRAS ID 284460, REC reference 20/SC/0230) on 22 May 2020; the vaccine amendment was approved on 12 January 2021. Participants gave informed consent before taking part in the study.

Regular reports to national and international expert advisory groups and peer-reviewed publications ensure timely dissemination of findings to inform decision making.

Trial registration number

NCT11041050.
Understanding recruitment to a perioperative randomised controlled trial: protocol for a mixed-methods substudy nested within a feasibility trial of octreotide infusion during liver transplantation
Authors: Brodkin Edgar , Loh Ee-Neng , Spiro Michael , Hannon Vivienne , Fabes Jez , Moonesinghe S Ramani , Wagstaff Duncan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Recruitment to perioperative randomised controlled trials is known to be challenging. Qualitative methods offer insight into barriers and enablers to participation. This is a substudy within a feasibility randomised controlled trial of octreotide infusion during liver transplantation at two National Health Service hospitals, which will evaluate patient and staff experiences of trial processes. By sharing formative understanding from these methods with the trials team we aim to improve staff–patient interactions and hence recruitment rates.

Methods and analysis

This prospective mixed-methods study will comprise two workstreams. First, after consent to the randomised controlled trial is sought, all patients will be invited to complete a questionnaire to explore their perceptions of the information given to them and motivating factors that influenced their decision to consent or not. Questionnaires will be analysed using descriptive statistics and framework analysis.

If the recruitment:approach ratio drops below a predetermined ratio or if there are any specific recruitment concerns from the trials team, a second workstream involving mixed-methods fieldwork will be implemented. This will involve audiorecording of recruitment consultations and a follow-up semistructured interview to explore patients’ perception of their decision-making regarding recruitment. Semistructured interviews will also be conducted with the recruitment team to establish their views about the trial, barriers to recruitment and ways to overcome them. Recruitment consultations will be analysed using Q-QAT methodology and interviews will be analysed using framework analysis. Findings from both workstreams will be formatively fed back to the trials team to enable iterative improvement to recruitment processes.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval has been granted by Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee (ref 20/NW/0071), the Health Research Authority and the local Research and Development offices. A manuscript detailing the summative findings will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04941911.