bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical relevance of the 21-gene Recurrence Score® assay in treatment decisions for patients with node-positive breast cancer in the genomic era
Authors: Mamounas Eleftherios P. , Russell Christy A. , Lau Anna , Turner Michelle P. , Albain Kathy S.
Published: August 2018

In contemporary management of early-stage breast cancer, clinical decisions regarding adjuvant systemic therapy are increasingly made after considering both genomic assay results and clinico-pathologic features. Genomic information augments the prognostic information gleaned from clinico-pathologic features by providing risk estimates for distant recurrence and/or breast cancer-specific survival based on individual tumor biology. The 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® (RS) assay is validated to be prognostic and predictive of chemotherapy benefit in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer, regardless of nodal status. Because patients frequently are recommended to receive adjuvant chemotherapy based on the perceived poor prognosis related to a positive nodal status, inconsistent use of any prognostic genomic assay in the node-positive (N+) setting likely results in overtreatment of some patients, particularly those with a low genomic risk as defined by the RS test. This comprehensive review of the evidence for the RS assay in patients with N+, HR+, HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer focuses on outcomes of patients with low RS results treated with hormonal therapy alone. Aggregate findings show that the RS assay consistently identifies patients with low genomic risk N+ breast cancer, in whom adjuvant chemotherapy can be avoided without adversely affecting outcomes. This evidence suggests that HR+ patients with limited nodal involvement and low RS results should discuss with their physicians the pros and cons of adjuvant chemotherapy at the time their treatment plans are being decided.
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is related to gestational weight gain in pregnant women with obesity
Authors: Ortega-Senovilla Henar , van Poppel Mireille N. M. , Desoye Gernot , Herrera Emilio
Published: August 2018

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a circulating protein involved in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism. However, its role in obesity and pregnancy is unknown. To evaluate the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and circulating concentrations of ANGPTL4 in pregnant women with overweight and obesity, weight gain and fasting maternal blood samples of thirty-one pregnant women was drawn at 15, 24 and 32 weeks of gestation. ANGPTL4 concentrations continuously rose throughout gestation, whereas VEGF and leptin did not show the same trend. NEFA and glycerol concentrations remained stable during pregnancy. In contrast, total concentrations of saturated, monounsaturated and n-6 fatty acids, but not n-3 fatty acids, increased with pregnancy. In multiple regression analysis, the increase in plasma ANGPTL4 and decrease in linoleic acid concentrations were the most significant predictors of GWG, although only ANGPTL4 was significantly associated with the weight gain from early pregnancy (area under the ROC curve was 0.80 p < 0.01(95% CI 0.61–0.99)). In conclusion, in pregnant women with overweight and obesity, an increase in plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations throughout pregnancy is positively associated with GWG and could be used as an early marker of increased susceptibility to excess gestational weight gain.
Giant magnetoelectric effect at the graphone/ferroelectric interface
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhang Yajun , Sahoo M. P. K. , Shimada Takahiro , Kitamura Takayuki , Ghosez Philippe , Zhang Tong-Yi
Published: August 2018

Multiferroic heterostructures combining ferromagnetic and ferroelectric layers are promising for applications in novel spintronic devices, such as memories with electrical writing and magnetic reading, assuming their magnetoelectric coupling (MEC) is strong enough. For conventional magnetic metal/ferroelectric heterostructures, however, the change of interfacial magnetic moment upon reversal of the electric polarization is often very weak. Here, by using first principles calculations, we demonstrate a new pathway towards a strong MEC at the interface between the semi-hydrogenated graphene (also called graphone) and ferroelectric PbTiO3. By reversing the polarization of PbTiO3, the magnetization of graphone can be electrically switched on and off through the change of carbon-oxygen bonding at the interface. Furthermore, a ferroelectric polarization can be preserved down to ultrathin PbTiO3 layers less than one nanometer due to an enhancement of the polarization at the interface. The predicted strong magnetoelectric effect in the ultimately thin graphone/ferroelectric layers opens a new opportunity for the electric control of magnetism in high-density devices.
Zapping 500 faces in less than 100 seconds: Evidence for extremely fast and sustained continuous visual search
Authors: Martin Jacob G. , Davis Charles E. , Riesenhuber Maximilian , Thorpe Simon J.
Published: August 2018

A number of studies have shown human subjects’ impressive ability to detect faces in individual images, with saccade reaction times starting as fast as 100 ms after stimulus onset. Here, we report evidence that humans can rapidly and continuously saccade towards single faces embedded in different scenes at rates approaching 6 faces/scenes each second (including blinks and eye movement times). These observations are impressive, given that humans usually make no more than 2 to 5 saccades per second when searching a single scene with eye movements. Surprisingly, attempts to hide the faces by blending them into a large background scene had little effect on targeting rates, saccade reaction times, or targeting accuracy. Upright faces were found more quickly and more accurately than inverted faces; both with and without a cluttered background scene, and over a large range of eccentricities (4°–16°). The fastest subject in our study made continuous saccades to 500 small 3° upright faces at 4° eccentricities in only 96 seconds. The maximum face targeting rate ever achieved by any subject during any sequence of 7 faces during Experiment 3 for the no scene and upright face condition was 6.5 faces targeted/second. Our data provide evidence that the human visual system includes an ultra-rapid and continuous object localization system for upright faces. Furthermore, these observations indicate that continuous paradigms such as the one we have used can push humans to make remarkably fast reaction times that impose strong constraints and challenges on models of how, where, and when visual processing occurs in the human brain.
Polarimetric image recovery method combining histogram stretching for underwater imaging
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Hu Haofeng , Zhao Lin , Wang Hui , Yu Yin , Wu Lan , Liu Tiegen
Published: August 2018

The underwater imaging could be severely degraded by the scattering media because of the backscattered light and signal attenuation, especially in the case of strong scattering for dense turbid medium. In this paper, we propose an improved method for recovering the underwater image combining the histogram stretching and polarimetric recovery in a proper way. In this method, we stretch the histograms of the orthogonal polarization images while maintaining the polarization relation between them, and then, based on the processed orthogonal polarization images, the recovered image with higher quality can be obtained by the traditional polarimetric recovery method. Several groups of experimental results demonstrate that the quality of underwater images can be effectively enhanced by our method, and its performance is better than that of the traditional polarimetric recovery method. In particular, the proposed method is also quite effective in the condition of dense turbid medium.
Cigarette smoke exposure decreases CFLAR expression in the bronchial epithelium, augmenting susceptibility for lung epithelial cell death and DAMP release
Authors: Faiz Alen , Heijink Irene H. , Vermeulen Cornelis J. , Guryev Victor , van den Berge Maarten , Nawijn Martijn C. , Pouwels Simon D.
Published: August 2018

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the inflammatory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mechanism by which cigarette smoke (CS) induces chronic lung inflammation is still largely unknown. We hypothesize that immunogenic airway epithelial cell death is involved in the initiation of the inflammatory response. We previously identified CFLAR, the gene encoding the cell death regulator protein c-FLIP, to be associated with CS-induced release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Here, we investigated the effect of CS on expression levels of CFLAR in bronchial biopsies from smokers and non-smokers and CFLAR transcript isoform-expression in a dataset of air-liquid interface-differentiated bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, CFLAR was down-regulated by siRNA in lung epithelial A549 cells, followed by investigation of the effects on apoptosis, necrosis and DAMP release. CS exposure significantly decreased CFLAR expression in bronchial epithelial cells. Moreover, we observed a shift in relative abundance of the isoforms c-FLIPS and c-FLIPL transcripts in bronchial biopsies of current smokers compared to non-smokers, consistent with a shift towards necroptosis. In vitro, down-regulation of CFLAR increased apoptosis at baseline as well as CS extract-induced necrosis and DAMP release. In conclusion, CS exposure decreases CFLAR expression, which might increase susceptibility to immunogenic cell death.
Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Absolute Configuration of Germacrane Isomers from Carpesium divaricatum
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Jia-Huan , Si Jin-Guang , Ding Gang , Zhang Qiu-Bo , Zhang Hong-Wu , Jia Hong-Mei , Zou Zhong-Mei
Published: August 2018

Five sets of germacrane isomers (1/8/17, 2/7/10/11/13/16/18, 3/4/5/14/20, 6/12/15, and 9/19) with different skeletal types, including seven new ones (1–3, 8–9, and 15–16) were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium divaricatum. Among them, there are six pairs of stereoisomers (1/8, 2/13, 4/14, 6/12, 7/11 and 10/11). The planar structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of 4, 10, 11, and 17 were established by circular dichroism (CD) spectra and X-ray crystallographic analyses, and the stereochemistry of the new compounds 1–3, 8–9, and 15–16 were determined by similar CD spectra with 4, 10, 11, and 17, respectively. The confusion in the literature about subtypes I and II of germacranolides was clarified in this paper. The NMR data of 10–11, and the absolute configurations of the known compounds 4–6, 13–14, and 17–20 were reported for the first time. Compounds 13, 17, and 18 showed cytotoxicity against human cervical (HeLa), colon (LoVo) and stomach cancer (BGC-823) cell lines with IC50 values in the range 4.72–13.68 μM compared with the control cis-platin (7.90–15.34 μM).
Murine Models of Steroid Refractory Graft-versus-Host Disease
Authors: Toubai Tomomi , Rossi Corinne , Tawara Isao , Liu Chen , Zajac Cynthia , Oravecz-Wilson Katherine , Peltier Daniel , Sun Yaping , Fujiwara Hideaki , Wu Shin-Rong , Riwes Mary , Henig Israel , Kim Stephanie , Reddy Pavan
Published: August 2018

Corticosteroids are the first line therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, the outcome of steroid refractory GVHD (SR-GVHD) is poor due to a lack of effective treatments. The development of therapies for SR-GVHD is limited by an incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology partly because of the absence of clinically relevant animal models of SR-GVHD. Here we addressed the need for a SR-GVHD animal model by developing both MHC matched multiple minor histocompatibility antigens (miHAs) mismatched and MHC mismatched haploidentical murine models of SR-GVHD. We demonstrate that animals can develop SR-GVHD regardless of whether steroids are initiated early or late post allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). In general, we observed increased GVHD specific histopathological damage of target organs in SR-GVHD animals relative to steroid responsive animals. Interestingly, we found no significant differences in donor T cell characteristics between steroid refractory and responsive animals suggesting that donor T cell independent mechanisms may play more prominent roles in the pathogenesis of SR-GVHD than was considered previously.
JAK/STAT guarantees robust neural stem cell differentiation by shutting off biological noise
Authors: Tanaka Yoshitaro , Yasugi Tetsuo , Nagayama Masaharu , Sato Makoto , Ei Shin-Ichiro
Published: August 2018

Organismal development is precisely regulated by a sequence of gene functions even in the presence of biological noise. However, it is difficult to evaluate the effect of noise in vivo, and the mechanisms by which noise is filtered during development are largely unknown. To identify the noise-canceling mechanism, we used the fly visual system, in which the timing of differentiation of neural stem cells is spatio-temporally ordered. Our mathematical model predicts that JAK/STAT signaling contributes to noise canceling to guarantee the robust progression of the differentiation wave in silico. We further demonstrate that the suppression of JAK/STAT signaling causes stochastic and ectopic neural stem cell differentiation in vivo, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved function of JAK/STAT to regulate the robustness of stem cell differentiation.
Physical activity and impaired left ventricular relaxation in middle aged adults
Authors: Ryu Seungho , Chang Yoosoo , Kang Jeonggyu , Yun Kyung Eun , Jung Hyun-Suk , Kim Chan-Won , Cho Juhee , Lima Joao A , Sung Ki-Chul , Shin Hocheol , Guallar Eliseo
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity level and impaired left ventricular (LV) relaxation in a large sample of apparently healthy men and women. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 57,449 adults who underwent echocardiography as part of a comprehensive health examination between March 2011 and December 2014. Physical activity level was assessed using the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The presence of impaired LV relaxation was determined based on echocardiographic findings. Physical activity levels were inversely associated with the prevalence of impaired LV relaxation. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for impaired LV relaxation comparing minimally active and health-enhancing physically active groups to the inactive group were 0.84 (0.77–0.91) and 0.64 (0.58–0.72), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). These associations were modified by sex (p for interaction <0.001), with the inverse association observed in men, but not in women. This study demonstrated an inverse linear association between physical activity level and impaired LV relaxation in a large sample of middle-aged Koreans independent of potential confounders. Our findings suggest that increasing physical activity may be independently important in reducing the risk of impaired LV relaxation.
One millennium of historical freshwater fish occurrence data for Portuguese rivers and streams
Authors: Duarte Gonçalo , Moreira Miguel , Branco Paulo , da Costa Luís , Ferreira Maria Teresa , Segurado Pedro
Published: August 2018

The insights that historical evidence of human presence and man-made documents provide are unique. For example, using historical data may be critical to adequately understand the ecological requirements of species. However, historical information about freshwater species distribution remains largely a knowledge gap. In this Data Descriptor, we present the Portuguese Historical Fish Database (PHish–DB), a compilation of 2214 records (557 at the basin scale, 184 at the sub-basin scale and 1473 at the segment scale) resulting from a survey of 194 historical documents. The database was developed using a three-scale approach that maximises the inclusion of information by allowing different degrees of spatial acuity. PHish database contains records of 25 taxonomical groups and covers a time span of one millennium, from the 11th until the 20th century. This database has already proven useful for two scientific studies, and PHish further use will contribute to correctly assess the full range of conditions tolerated by species, by establishing adequate benchmark conditions, and/or to improve existing knowledge of the species distribution limits.
Selective extraction of organophosphorous pesticides in plasma by magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers with the aid of computational design
Authors: Mehdipour Mohammad , Ansari Mehdi , Pournamdari Mostafa , Zeidabadinejad Leila , Kazemipour Maryam
Published: August 2018

MIP-APTES-MNP was designed and characterized to selectively extract OPPs from plasma samples.
Covalent organic frameworks and electron mediator-based open circuit potential biosensor forin vivoelectrochemical measurements
Authors: Su Dan , Feng Bingwei , Xu Pengfei , Zeng Qiang , Shan Baixi , Song Yonggui
Published: August 2018

Schematic illustration of the structure of GOD/DMFc/COF-LZU1/CFMEs and the analytical principles of OCPS.
Alkali metal ion exchanged ZSM-5 catalysts: on acidity and methanol-to-olefin performance
Authors: Dyballa Michael , Obenaus Utz , Blum Markus , Dai Weili
Published: August 2018

The acid site density and counter ion nature impact the proportion of alkene- and aromatic-based MTO reaction cycles.
Partial magnetic ordering in one-dimensional arrays of endofullerene single-molecule magnet peapods
Authors: Avdoshenko Stanislav M. , Fritz Fabian , Schlesier Christin , Kostanyan Aram , Dreiser Jan , Luysberg Martina , Popov Alexey A. , Meyer Carola , Westerström Rasmus
Published: August 2018

Magnetic ordering and bistability of one-dimensional chains of endofullerene Dy2ScN@C80 single-molecule magnets packed inside single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Thermoresponsive hybrid double-crosslinked networks using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as crossing points
Authors: Blin Thomas , Niederberger Antoine , Benyahia Lazhar , Fresnais Jérôme , Montembault Véronique , Fontaine Laurent
Published: August 2018

Preparation and characterization of stimuli-sensitive hybrid double-crosslinked hydrogels based on iron oxide nanoparticles as the nano-crosslinkers and a difuran-functionalized PEO as the diene partner for the thermoreversible Diels–Alder reaction.
Mixed valency in ligand-bridged diruthenium frameworks: divergences and perspectives
Authors: Hazari Arijit Singha , Indra Arindam , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: August 2018

Emerging fundamental issues involving intramolecular electron transfer at the mixed valent diruthenium frameworks and its application prospects have been highlighted.
Molecularly imprinted polymers for selective adsorption of quinoline: theoretical and experimental studies
Authors: Martínez Saavedra Liz Nayibe , Penido Ricardo Gonçalves , de Azevedo Santos Lucas , Ramalho Teodorico C. , Lobo Baeta Bruno E. , Pereira Márcio C. , Candido da Silva Adilson
Published: August 2018

Molecularly imprinted polymers synthesized by a one-pot synthesis absorb quinoline efficiently and selectively.
Direct β-selectivity of α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactam for asymmetric conjugate additions in an organocatalytic manner
Authors: Zhong Yuan , Hong Sihua , Cai Zhengjun , Ma Shixiong , Jiang Xianxing
Published: August 2018

The asymmetric addition of γ-butyrolactam with cyclic imino esters catalyzed by (DHQD)2AQN has been developed, which provides an access to β-position functionalized pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives in high levels yield and enantioselectivity.
Thermal dewetting tunes surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) performance
Authors: Andrikaki Sonia , Govatsi Katerina , Yannopoulos Spyros N. , Voyiatzis George A. , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S.
Published: August 2018

Simple, reproducible and low-cost SERS substrates for ultra-sensitive chemical analysis/quantification offered by thermal dewetting of thin metallic films.
A decade of “Chemical Frontiers Goa”
Authors: Murugavel Ramaswamy , Rao C. N. R.
Published: August 2018

We are delighted to present this collection of open access articles in RSC Advances to celebrate the Decennial Year of the “Chemical Frontiers Goa” meetings.
Unravelling the electrochemical mechanisms for nitrogen fixation on single transition metal atoms embedded in defective graphitic carbon nitride
Authors: Chen Xingzhu , Zhao Xiujian , Kong Zhouzhou , Ong Wee-Jun , Li Neng
Published: August 2018

Single transition metal atoms supported by defective g-C3N4 are examined by DFT for electrochemical N2 fixation. The single Ti atom is the most promising candidate for its high activity and stability owing to the coordination number of the active center.
Nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots for bioimaging and delivery of paclitaxel
Authors: Gomez I. Jennifer , Arnaiz Blanca , Cacioppo Michele , Arcudi Francesca , Prato Maurizio
Published: August 2018

A carbon nanodot–paclitaxel drug delivery system with enhanced anticancer activity as compared to the free drug is reported.
Direct integration of polycrystalline graphene on silicon as a photodetector via plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Li Jiurong , Guo Qinglei , Zhang Nan , Yang Siwei , Liu Zhiduo , Xu Anli , Tao Weidong , Wang Gang , Chen Da , Ding Guqiao
Published: August 2018

Directly synthesize polycrystalline graphene on Si substrate by PACVD, the growth temperature is significantly reduced and reaches at 700 °C. The graphene-on-Si exhibits superior capabilities that can be used to directly fabricate photodetectors.
A propeller-shaped perylene diimide hexamer as a nonfullerene acceptor for organic solar cells
Authors: Liu Juncheng , Xie Sufei , Feng Shiyu , Li Miao , Wu Liangliang , Xu Xinjun , Chen Xuebo , Li Cuihong , Bo Zhishan
Published: August 2018

A novel propeller-shaped molecule (HPB-PDI6) was synthesized via Co2(CO)8-catalyzed cyclotrimerization and used as an acceptor for organic solar cells (OSCs). Devices based on PTB7-Th:HPB-PDI6 achieved a PCE of 6.63% with a Voc of 0.92 V, a Jsc of 15.11 mA cm−2, and an FF of 48.0%.
A Case Study Using a Multimodal Approach to Melodic Intonation Therapy
Authors: Slavin Dianne , Fabus Renee
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy. of increasing spontaneous expressive language using a modified melodic intonation therapy (MIT) approach with a male participant diagnosed with acquired aphasia and apraxia who was 10 years post onset.

Method

A therapeutic protocol consisting of vocal and linguistic tasks was administered. The participant attended two 50-min individual sessions and a 4-hr/week socialization program for three 12-week semesters. Measures of speech and language were administered before intervention and at the completion of each of the 3 semesters.

Results

At the completion of the study, the participant demonstrated reduced apraxia of speech as measured by The Apraxia Battery for Adults, Second Edition (Dabul, 2000). He also showed improvements in auditory comprehension skills as measured on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Evaluation (Goodglass, Kaplan, & Barresi, 2000). His spontaneous utterances were characterized by an increased number of complete sentences and questions. Several language parameters including mean length of utterance, total number of spontaneous (untrained) utterances, and number of different words spoken were also improved as revealed through language analysis.

Conclusions

Integration of melodic intonation therapy through the addition of musical elements may result in improved speech and expressive language skills when administered over a 9-month period in conjunction with a group socialization program.
Individual and Developmental Differences in Distributional Learning
Authors: Hall Jessica , Owen Van Horne Amanda J. , McGregor Karla K. , Farmer Thomas A.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This study examined whether children and adults with developmental language disorder (DLD) could use distributional information in an artificial language to learn about grammatical category membership similarly to their typically developing (TD) peers and whether developmental differences existed within and between DLD and TD groups.

Method

Sixteen children ages 7–9 with DLD, 26 age-matched TD children, 17 college students with DLD, and 17 TD college students participated in this task. We used an artificial grammar learning paradigm in which participants had to use knowledge of category membership to determine the acceptability of test items that they had not heard during a training phase.

Results

Individuals with DLD performed similarly to TD peers in distinguishing grammatical from ungrammatical combinations, with no differences between age groups. The order in which items were heard at test differentially affected child versus adult participants and showed a relation with attention and phonological working memory as well.

Conclusion

Differences in ratings between grammatical and ungrammatical items in this task suggest that individuals with DLD can form grammatical categories from novel input and more broadly use distributional information. Differences in order effects suggest a developmental timeline for sensitivity to updating distributional information.
The Role of Statistical Learning in Understanding and Treating Spoken Language Outcomes in Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Deocampo Joanne A. , Smith Gretchen N. L. , Kronenberger William G. , Pisoni David B. , Conway Christopher M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Statistical learning—the ability to learn patterns in environmental input—is increasingly recognized as a foundational mechanism necessary for the successful acquisition of spoken language. Spoken language is a complex, serially presented signal that contains embedded statistical relations among linguistic units, such as phonemes, morphemes, and words, which represent the phonotactic and syntactic rules of language. In this review article, we first review recent work that demonstrates that, in typical language development, individuals who display better nonlinguistic statistical learning abilities also show better performance on different measures of language. We next review research findings that suggest that children who are deaf and use cochlear implants may have difficulties learning sequential input patterns, possibly due to auditory and/or linguistic deprivation early in development, and that the children who show better sequence learning abilities also display improved spoken language outcomes. Finally, we present recent findings suggesting that it may be possible to improve core statistical learning abilities with specialized training and interventions and that such improvements can potentially impact and facilitate the acquisition and processing of spoken language.

Method

We conducted a literature search through various online databases including PsychINFO and PubMed, as well as including relevant review articles gleaned from the reference sections of other review articles used in this review. Search terms included various combinations of the following: sequential learning, sequence learning, statistical learning, sequence processing, procedural learning, procedural memory, implicit learning, language, computerized training, working memory training, statistical learning training, deaf, deafness, hearing impairment, hearing impaired, DHH, hard of hearing, cochlear implant(s), hearing aid(s), and auditory deprivation. To keep this review concise and clear, we limited inclusion to the foundational and most recent (2005–2018) relevant studies that explicitly included research or theoretical perspectives on statistical or sequential learning. We here summarize and synthesize the most recent and relevant literature to understanding and treating language delays in children using cochlear implants through the lens of statistical learning.

Conclusions

We suggest that understanding how statistical learning contributes to spoken language development is important for understanding some of the difficulties that children who are deaf and use cochlear implants might face and argue that it may be beneficial to develop novel language interventions that focus specifically on improving core foundational statistical learning skills.
Statistical Learning and Bilingualism
Authors: Bulgarelli Federica , Lebkuecher Amy L. , Weiss Daniel J.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Over the last 2 decades, research on statistical learning has demonstrated its importance in supporting language development. Notably, most of the research to date has focused on monolingual populations (or has not reported the language background of participants). Several recent studies, however, have begun to focus on the impact of bilingualism on statistical learning. To date, the results have been quite mixed, with a handful of studies finding differences between monolinguals and bilinguals and several other studies reporting no differences. Thus, the purpose of this manuscript is to review the literature to date on how bilingualism impacts statistical learning abilities.

Method

We review the contemporary literature, organized by the age of participants and by task when relevant.

Conclusions

We note that there are many discrepant findings within this nascent field, although some trends have emerged. For instance, differences in performance may be attributed to factors such as age of acquisition. However, we note that the state of the field does not yet permit firm clinical recommendations.
Statistical Learning: How it Relates to Speech-Language Pathology
Authors: Alt Mary
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this special issue is to introduce speech-language pathologists to the topic of statistical learning and how this is relevant to their practice. In the following articles, the concept of statistical learning will be explained, and readers will find (a) research studies showing how children with special needs can use statistical learning to learn language; (b) tutorials that show why statistical learning is meaningful for special populations; and (c) tutorials that show how statistical learning is involved in language, reading, and spelling.
340 GHz lens‐coupled 4 × 4 GaAs detector array for terahertz imaging applications
Authors: Li Mingxun , Lv Xin , Mou Jinchao , Guo Dalu , Qiao Haidong , Ma Zhaohui , Hao Haidong
Published: August 2018

A 340 GHz 4 × 4 detector array based on 0.18 µm gallium arsenide technology is presented. Each pixel is composed of a planar log‐periodic antenna, a Schottky barrier diode, and a pair of bonding pads. The detector array is mounted on a silicon lens and assembled onto a PCB using the authors’ novel flip‐chip structure. Off‐axis performances of the lens‐coupled detector array are demonstrated experimentally, which agree well with the simulated ones. The detector array shows a peak voltage responsivity of 1347 V/W and a noise equivalent power of 2.1 pW/Hz1/2 at 340 GHz, exhibiting much better performance than the CMOS counterpart.
Channel equalisation and data detection for SEFDM over frequency selective fading channels
Authors: Yu Baoxian , Zhang Han , Hong Xudong , Guo Changjian , Lau Alan Pak Tao , Lu Chao , Dai Xianhua
Published: August 2018

Spectrally efficient frequency division multiplexing (SEFDM) has been recognised as a promising multi‐carrier technology since it can offer a higher spectral efficiency than orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In this study, the authors provide a framework for SEFDM transceiver design and investigate the techniques of channel equalisation and data detection of SEFDM over frequency selective fading scenarios. Specifically, they first demonstrate through mathematical analysis that SEFDM with the proposed frequency‐domain equalisation scheme can benefit from the frequency diversity, and thus, performs more robust to the frequency selective fading environment than OFDM. To effectively mitigate inter‐carrier interference raised by the non‐orthogonality between sub‐carriers of SEFDM, they then propose a low‐computational data detection scheme based on the Viterbi principle and maximum a posteriori criterion. The proposed detector can provide an indistinguishable performance from the maximum likelihood detection using sphere decoding while entailing a much lower computation. Numerical results validate the superiority of SEFDM to OFDM over frequency selective fading channels.
Improved online fountain codes
Authors: Zhao Yuli , Zhang Yin , Lau Francis C.M. , Yu Hai , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: August 2018

Online fountain codes have been proven to require lower overhead and fewer feedbacks than growth codes for successful decoding. In an attempt to improve the intermediate symbol recovery rate, the authors propose sending a number of degree‐1 input symbols prior to the build‐up phase based on a simple application of probability theory. In addition, during the completion phase, received encoded symbols with three neighbouring white (un‐decoded) symbols are retained for decoding and updating the decoding graph later. The performance and characteristics of the proposed improved online fountain codes are compared to those of the original online fountain codes over an erasure channel. Simulation results reveal that the improved online fountain codes outperform the original fountain codes in terms of intermediate symbol recovery rate, average encoded symbols required to be generated by the sender, average feedback transmissions, and encoding/decoding efficiency.
Application of μPMUs for adaptive protection of overcurrent relays in microgrids
Authors: Ghalei Monfared Zanjani Mohsen , Mazlumi Kazem , Kamwa Innocent
Published: August 2018

This study proposes a new application of micro‐phasor measurement units (µPMUs) for adaptive coordination of overcurrent relays in microgrids. Mis‐coordination of overcurrent relays usually arising from the variation of relays fault current and it can cause damage to equipment of network and raise operating costs. Fault current injection and direction to microgrid are highly dependent on network uncertainties; therefore, fault current is affected by line and power plant outages. This study proposes an algorithm to detect these uncertainties in online operation. Then, microgrid overcurrent relays coordination is optimised again. Uncertainties are line and power plant outages in transmission network and microgrid side and two distinct methods are used for each. For online detection of uncertainties in the transmission side, it is assumed that a µPMU is installed between transmission network and microgrid point of common coupling; so, the topology changes such as line outage is detected by monitoring of Thevenin impedance estimation that is obtained by µPMU measurements. Uncertainties detection in a microgrid is done by signals that are sent by µPMUs and installed all over the microgrid. All data are gathered and analysed in phasor data concentrators and then overcurrent relays coordination is updated with such changes.
Data association for extended target tracking by BP
Authors: Su Zhenzhen , Ji Hongbing , Zhang Yongquan
Published: August 2018

Data association with great efficiency is an important problem in multiple extended target tracking. It is more challenging than that in point target tracking as the measurements of extended targets are more. This study presents a graphical model formulation of data association for extended target tracking, which is solved by belief propagation (BP) to obtain estimations. To construct the graphical model, a simplified scheme for measurements is proposed to improve the tracking efficiency, which is based on minimal spanning tree algorithm. Then, the data association problem according to the simplified measurement set is presented, solved by BP. Finally, experiment results show the proposed algorithm has advantages over the algorithm based on joint probabilistic data association and the previous data association algorithm, introduced by Vivone and Braca, in terms of robustness and efficiency.
Influence of the insulator geometry on the streamer propagation characteristics in polymeric insulators under positive polarity lightning impulse voltages
Authors: Shanmugam Gowrishankar , Karakkad Sunitha
Published: August 2018

Polymer composite insulators acquire the position of their counterpart ceramic and glass insulators in high voltage overhead transmission systems due to their remarkable pollution performance. They have different potential and electric field distributions compared to that of ceramic insulators and the absence of intermediate pin and cap metal fittings makes them compact in size by reducing the distance between energised and grounded ends. This study presents a simulation‐based approach to compute the streamer propagation characteristics in polymer suspension insulators under positive polarity lightning impulse voltages. The streamer inception, propagation, and sustenance criteria are evaluated using finite element method‐based electric field computations. The significance of insulator geometries on streamer inception and propagation phenomena is well established. The insulator geometries such as weather sheds, location of the first shed, and shed radius have shown a strong influence on streamer inception and propagation path, which govern the flashover characteristics of the insulator. The lightning impulse flashover voltages of different insulators were determined experimentally to validate the computed results. A good agreement is found between simulation and experimental results.
Effect of ZnO nanosizing on its solubility in aqueous media
Authors: Leitner Jindřich , Sedmidubský David , Jankovský Ondřej
Published: August 2018

Zinc pollution represents a great environmental risk, particularly with regards to the aquatic environment. In this theoretical contribution, the enhanced solubility of ZnO nanoparticles in pure water is predicted based on a simple thermodynamic model. The study used Zn2+, Zn(OH)+, Zn(OH)2, Zn(OH)3 − and Zn(OH)4 2− as dominant species in aqueous solution and a Gibbs energy minimisation method to calculate equilibrium Zn content in this solution. ZnO was investigated in the form of nanoparticles of various shapes, whose very high surface‐to‐volume ratio implicates their lower thermodynamic stability compared with bulk material. The interfacial energy of the solid ZnO – dilute aqueous solution interface was assessed by applying the average ZnO surface energy and contact angle of a sessile drop of water on ZnO()‐O surface. At 298 K, the ratio of 2 nm spherical ZnO particles to the bulk material solubility was about 23.7. The calculated results were compared with experimental data and yielded a good agreement. These results are not only of great importance for nanomaterials research but they also have implications for environmental protection.
A hybrid particle swarm optimization for the generalized assignment problem with time window
Authors: Phudphad Phattaraphorn , Sethanan Kanchana , Jamrus Thitipong
Published: August 2018

This study focuses on the inbound logistics of the sugarcane industry, which has three main procedures consisting of cultivation, harvest and transportation. Generally, small-scale growers cannot manage all of the procedures effectively, because of their lack of bargaining power and inadequate equipment. For this reason a resource-sharing policy, such as harvester and truck sharing, is used by factories to reduce the cost of the sugarcane harvest, and increase harvester and truck utilization. To solve the generalized assignment problem (GAP) with time window, thus minimizing the total cost from the assignment of the third-party logistics providers to service small-scale growers under capacity and time limitations, a mathematical model has been developed for small-sized problems. For large-scale problems, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is applied and improved by the hybridization of PSO with k-cyclic moves algorithm (PSOK). The results demonstrate that the proposed metaheuristics can solve the problem efficiently since the results are equal to, or close to, the optimal solutions in which the averaged performances of PSO and PSOK are 99.61% and 99.64%, respectively and the averaged relative improvement is 0.1519%.
Lipid-based nanocarriers to enhance skin permeation and antioxidant activity of Centella asiatica extract
Authors: Pamornpathomkul Boonnada , Rangsimawong Worranan , Rojanarata Theerasak , Opanasopit Praneet , Chaiyodsilp Chuleerath , Ngawhirunpat Tanasait
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of different formulations, including solution, gel, liposome and niosome for in vitro skin permeation and antioxidant activity ofCentellaasiatica (CA) extract. The liposomes and niosomes loaded with CA were characterized to observe the physicochemical properties i.e., particle size, zeta potential, percentage of entrapment efficiency (%EE) and percentage of loading efficiency (%LE). In vitro skin permeation studies revealed that liposome formulations had a superior enhancing effect on skin permeation compared to niosome, gel and solution formulation. Upon applied niosome formulations for the delivery of CA extract at 24 hours (h), the antioxidant activity was higher than liposome, gel and solution formulation, as evidenced by the increased in percent inhibition using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. However, there was no significant difference in antioxidant activity between niosome and liposome formulations. Accordingly, both the liposome and noisome formulations are promising approaches for transdermal delivery of CA extract for promoting successful antioxidant activity.
Influences of soldering time on wettability and intermetallic phase between Sn-3.0Cu solder and copper substrate
Authors: Mookam Niwat , Kanlayasiri Kannachai
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the influences of soldering time on the wettability and intermetallic phase between Sn-3.0Cu lead-free solder and copper substrate were investigated. Reflow soldering was performed at 350 ° C under variable soldering times of 10, 20, 40, 60, 120, 240 and 480 s. The results indicated that the wettability and intermetallic growth depend on the soldering time. In addition, the Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn intermetallic phases with a hexagonal crystal structure were found between the lead-free solder and the copper substrate. The growth of intermetallic phases increased with soldering time, and the growth of intermetallic phases remarkably depended on grain boundary diffusion and was volume diffusion-controlled for Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn, respectively.
In-service operating conditions affecting on weld HAZ hardness for API5L Gr.B pipe steel maintenance.
Authors: Kwankaew Supolchai , Paoniam Rittichai , Poopat Bovornchok , Srisutraporn Sermsak
Published: August 2018

This study aims to investigate the influences of in-service welding conditions on maximum HAZ hardness, namely heat input, pipe wall thickness, and medium flow rate. The research consists of two parts; computationally thermal analysis and actual welding experiments. In conclusion, it suggested that increasing heat input resulted in decreasing maximum HAZ hardness, as well as, the range of run pipe thickness in the experiment was insignificantly influenced on HAZ hardness. Additionally, the higher flow rate induced more HAZ hardness with a certain flow rate level. HAZ hardness between the sleeve plate and the run pipe was insignificantly different. Nevertheless, it indicated that HAZ hardness prediction via computational analysis was more conservative than experiments.
The performance improvement of look-alike sound-alike drug pre-dispensing
Authors: Jongprasithporn Manutchanok , Sunkarat Wichai , Homsai Thanakorn , Sittiwanchai Teppakorn , Yodpijit Nantakrit
Published: August 2018

Medical dispensing errors are common and classic human errors in the hospitals. Look-alike, Sound-alike (LASA) drug is one of the main issues in pre-dispensing and dispensing processes. The data in this study were observed from one middle size hospital in Thailand. In 2017, there were two months that the medication errors KPI (0.065 and 0.061) were greater than the accepted error threshold (0.06). The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) solution and HOSxP software were applied for three months in the pre-dispensing process to reduce the medical dispensing errors. The results showed that the medication errors KPI (0.04, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively) were reduced dramatically. Therefore, implementation of the SBAR and HOSxP software is recommended as a fast and easy solution for medical dispensing errors.
The simulation of volume shrinkage for double-injection molding with PC and ABS
Authors: Leklong Pichai , sriseubsai Wipoo
Published: August 2018

The objective of this paper was to study and analyze the plastic injection molding parameters to reduce the volume shrinkage of double injection molded part. The specimen was molded with Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) after Polycarbonate was molded as a half part. The weld line occurred at the haft of the molded part. The simulation with Moldex 3D R13 and the design of experiment with Taguchi method was used to perform the experiments and analyze the data to get the optimum of volume shrinkage. The results showed that melt temperature and packing pressure was significant to the volume shrinkage. When using low melt temperature and high packing pressure, the shrinkage was low and related to the thermal expansion of the material. It would be one of the parameters to the design of double injection molding.
Project failure Indicators: perceptions of Thai and Malaysian engineers
Authors: Gomarn Pittayaporn , Pongpeng Jakrapong
Published: August 2018

This research aims to compare the rank and importance level of failure indicators of the construction projects from the perception of Thai and Malaysian engineers. The questionnaire was used to survey the opinions of the engineers who supervised construction projects in Bangkok, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Analysis of the data was undertaken with the use of SPSS software which included a comparison of the importance level of construction project failure indicators from the perception of Thai and Malaysian engineers. Additionally, the Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the similarities and differences of construction project failure indicators from the perceptions of both Thai and Malaysian engineers. The results showed that construction project failure indicators from both Thai and Malaysian engineers were similar. Failure indicators ranked in importance were: 1) negative effects on safety, health and environment (18.83%), 2) cost overrun (18.44%), 3) time overruns (17.41%), 4) quality defects (16.43%), 5) stakeholders' dissatisfaction (15.36%), and 6) dispute and litigation (13.54%). The outcome of the research is therefore useful in assisting supervisory staff better understand project failure indicators. In addition, the research can be used as a guideline for analyzing the risk of failures in construction projects.