bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of sunspot number and Geomagnetic aa-index on climate of Wet Zone West Africa during solar cycles 22–24
Authors: Hanson Esther A. , Okeke Francisca N.
Published: June 2021

Using the facilities at Heliophysics Science Division of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA, we attempted to investigate the impact of solar magnetic activities on the climate of Wet Zone West Africa. The solar activity data namely, Sunspot Number (SSN) was obtained from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels; and Geomagnetic aa-index was obtained from World Data Center, Kyoto, Japan. Surface Air Temperature (SAT) and Rainfall data [for Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Abidjan in Cote D’Ivoire] were obtained from the HadCRUT-4 project of Climate Research Unit of University of East Anglia, United Kingdom. Firstly, we carried out Time Series Analysis of SSN and Geomagnetic aa-index spanning from 1950 to 2016. Secondly, we performed Regression Analysis on both solar activity data and climate variables to estimate the impact of solar magnetic activity on the Wet Zone West African climate. The Time Series Analysis showed that SSN variation was in-phase with Geomagnetic aa-index in all the solar cycles studied. Thus, Geomagnetic aa-index can be used as a proxy for studying solar magnetic activities. Performance of Regression Analysis showed that SSN regressed on SAT and Rainfall amounted to an average of 0.49 and 0.02% respectively throughout Solar Cycles 22–24. Furthermore, a regression of Geomagnetic aa-index on SAT and Rainfall yielded an average of 0.145 and 0.125% respectively. Our models showed that the variability of SAT and Rainfall in Wet Zone West Africa during Solar Cycles 22–24 are far less than 1%. Hence, the influence of SSN and Geomagnetic aa-index on SAT and Rainfall is less than 1%; and could cause ‘very small’ effect. These weak impacts are proofs that the variability of SAT and Rainfall were most probably not effected by SSN and Geomagnetic aa-index. Consequently, the variability of SAT and Rainfall in Wet Zone West Africa could not be attributed to SSN and Geomagnetic aa-index. We therefore, attempt to conclude that climate variability in Wet Zone West Africa is most probably not driven by solar magnetic activity, but could be attributed to anthropogenic activities.
Late Miocene megalake regressions in Eurasia
Authors: Palcu Dan Valentin , Patina Irina Stanislavovna , Șandric Ionuț , Lazarev Sergei , Vasiliev Iuliana , Stoica Marius , Krijgsman Wout
Published: June 2021

The largest megalake in the geological record formed in Eurasia during the late Miocene, when the epicontinental Paratethys Sea became tectonically-trapped and disconnected from the global ocean. The megalake was characterized by several episodes of hydrological instability and partial desiccation, but the chronology, magnitude and impacts of these paleoenvironmental crises are poorly known. Our integrated stratigraphic study shows that the main desiccation episodes occurred between 9.75 and 7.65 million years ago. We identify four major regressions that correlate with aridification events, vegetation changes and faunal turnovers in large parts of Europe. Our paleogeographic reconstructions reveal that the Paratethys was profoundly transformed during regression episodes, losing ~ 1/3 of the water volume and ~ 70% of its surface during the most extreme events. The remaining water was stored in a central salt-lake and peripheral desalinated basins while vast regions (up to 1.75 million km2) became emergent land, suitable for development of forest-steppe landscapes. The partial megalake desiccations match with climate, food-web and landscape changes throughout Eurasia, although the exact triggers and mechanisms remain to be resolved.
Gravitational effects of scene information in object localization
Authors: Kosovicheva Anna , Bex Peter J.
Published: June 2021

We effortlessly interact with objects in our environment, but how do we know where something is? An object’s apparent position does not simply correspond to its retinotopic location but is influenced by its surrounding context. In the natural environment, this context is highly complex, and little is known about how visual information in a scene influences the apparent location of the objects within it. We measured the influence of local image statistics (luminance, edges, object boundaries, and saliency) on the reported location of a brief target superimposed on images of natural scenes. For each image statistic, we calculated the difference between the image value at the physical center of the target and the value at its reported center, using observers’ cursor responses, and averaged the resulting values across all trials. To isolate image-specific effects, difference scores were compared to a randomly-permuted null distribution that accounted for any response biases. The observed difference scores indicated that responses were significantly biased toward darker regions, luminance edges, object boundaries, and areas of high saliency, with relatively low shared variance among these measures. In addition, we show that the same image statistics were associated with observers’ saccade errors, despite large differences in response time, and that some effects persisted when high-level scene processing was disrupted by 180° rotations and color negatives of the originals. Together, these results provide evidence for landmark effects within natural images, in which feature location reports are pulled toward low- and high-level informative content in the scene.
Daphnetin ameliorates acute lung injury in mice with severe acute pancreatitis by inhibiting the JAK2–STAT3 pathway
Authors: Yang Shujun , Song Yaodong , Wang Qiaofang , Liu Yanna , Wu Zhongwei , Duan Xiaojia , Zhang Yan , Bi Xiuqian , Geng Yuanzhang , Chen Sanyang , Zhu Changju
Published: June 2021

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is often associated with pulmonary inflammation leading to acute lung injury. Daphnetin, a natural coumarin derivative, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we explored the effect and possible mechanism of daphnetin in a mouse model of SAP-associated lung injury induced by an intraperitoneal injection of l-arginine. The severity of pancreatic and lung injury is determined by histology and its score. Immunostaining of inflammatory and apoptotic cells was used to demonstrate lung tissue inflammation and apoptosis; ELISA analysis of serum and tissue cytokine levels; and western blotting and immunohistochemical staining for the activated Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)–signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (STAT3) signalling pathway in lung tissues. Daphnetin pretreatment significantly reduced SAP-induced pancreatic and lung tissue damage, reduced interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α concentrations in both serum and lung tissues, reduced serum amylase and myeloperoxidase activities, and reduced macrophage (CD11b) and neutrophil (Ly6G) infiltration and cell apoptosis in the lung tissue. Moreover, SAP-induced phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in the lung tissue was also significantly diminished by the daphnetin pretreatment. These results indicated that daphnetin reduces SAP-associated lung tissue damage, likely by inhibiting the activation of JAK2–STAT3 signalling.
Fraud in highly appreciated fish detected from DNA in Europe may undermine the Development Goal of sustainable fishing in Africa
Authors: Blanco-Fernandez Carmen , Ardura Alba , Masiá Paula , Rodriguez Noemi , Voces Laura , Fernandez-Raigoso Marcelino , Roca Agustín , Machado-Schiaffino Gonzalo , Dopico Eduardo , Garcia-Vazquez Eva
Published: June 2021

Despite high effort for food traceability to ensure safe and sustainable consumption, mislabeling persists on seafood markets. Determining what drives deliberate fraud is necessary to improve food authenticity and sustainability. In this study, the relationship between consumer’s appreciation and fraudulent mislabeling was assessed through a combination of a survey on consumer’s preferences (N = 1608) and molecular tools applied to fish samples commercialized by European companies. We analyzed 401 samples of fish highly consumed in Europe and worldwide (i.e. tuna, hake, anchovy, and blue whiting) through PCR-amplification and sequencing of a suite of DNA markers. Results revealed low mislabeling rate (1.9%), with a higher mislabeling risk in non-recognizable products and significant mediation of fish price between consumer´s appreciation and mislabeling risk of a species. Furthermore, the use of endangered species (e.g. Thunnus thynnus), tuna juveniles for anchovy, and still not regulated Merluccius polli hake as substitutes, points towards illegal, unreported and/or unregulated fishing from African waters. These findings reveal a worrying intentional fraud that hampers the goal of sustainable seafood production and consumption, and suggest to prioritize control efforts on highly appreciated species.
Increased extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) reflects rapid non-cardiogenic oedema and mortality in COVID-19 associated ARDS
Authors: Rasch Sebastian , Schmidle Paul , Sancak Sengül , Herner Alexander , Huberle Christina , Schulz Dominik , Mayr Ulrich , Schneider Jochen , Spinner Christoph D. , Geisler Fabian , Schmid Roland M. , Lahmer Tobias , Huber Wolfgang
Published: June 2021

Nearly 5% of patients suffering from COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) is a marker of pulmonary oedema which is associated with mortality in ARDS. In this study, we evaluate whether EVLWI is higher in patients with COVID-19 associated ARDS as compared to COVID-19 negative, ventilated patients with ARDS and whether EVLWI has the potential to monitor disease progression. EVLWI and cardiac function were monitored by transpulmonary thermodilution in 25 patients with COVID-19 ARDS subsequent to intubation and compared to a control group of 49 non-COVID-19 ARDS patients. At intubation, EVLWI was noticeably elevated and significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in the control group (17 (11–38) vs. 11 (6–26) mL/kg; p < 0.001). High pulmonary vascular permeability index values (2.9 (1.0–5.2) versus 1.9 (1.0–5.2); p = 0.003) suggested a non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. By contrast, the cardiac parameters SVI, GEF and GEDVI were comparable in both cohorts. High EVLWI values were associated with viral persistence, prolonged intensive care treatment and in-hospital mortality (23.2 ± 6.7% vs. 30.3 ± 6.0%, p = 0.025). Also, EVLWI showed a significant between-subjects (r = − 0.60; p = 0.001) and within-subjects correlation (r = − 0.27; p = 0.028) to Horowitz index. Compared to non COVID-19 ARDS, COVID-19 results in markedly elevated EVLWI-values in patients with ARDS. High EVLWI reflects a non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in COVID-19 ARDS and could serve as parameter to monitor ARDS progression on ICU.
BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR on the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis
Authors: Prieto-Peña Diana , Genre Fernanda , Remuzgo-Martínez Sara , Pulito-Cueto Verónica , Atienza-Mateo Belén , Llorca Javier , Sevilla-Pérez Belén , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Lera-Gómez Leticia , Leonardo María Teresa , Peñalba Ana , Narváez Javier , Martín-Penagos Luis , Rodrigo Emilio , Miranda-Filloy José A. , Caminal-Montero Luis , Collado Paz , Pérez Javier Sánchez , de Argila Diego , Rubio Esteban , Luque Manuel León , Blanco-Madrigal Juan María , Galíndez-Agirregoikoa Eva , Gualillo Oreste , Martín Javier , Castañeda Santos , Blanco Ricardo , González-Gay Miguel A. , López-Mejías Raquel
Published: June 2021

BAFF, APRIL and BAFF-R are key proteins involved in the development of B-lymphocytes and autoimmunity. Additionally, BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR polymorphisms were associated with immune-mediated conditions, being BAFF GCTGT>A a shared insertion-deletion genetic variant for several autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, we assessed whether BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR represent novel genetic risk factors for Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), a predominantly B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition. BAFF rs374039502, which colocalizes with BAFF GCTGT>A, and two tag variants within APRIL (rs11552708 and rs6608) and BAFFR (rs7290134 and rs77874543) were genotyped in 386 Caucasian IgAV patients and 806 matched healthy controls. No genotypes or alleles differences were observed between IgAV patients and controls when BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR variants were analysed independently. Likewise, no statistically significant differences were found in the genotype and allele frequencies of BAFF, APRIL or BAFFR when IgAV patients were stratified according to the age at disease onset or to the presence/absence of gastrointestinal (GI) or renal manifestations. Similar results were disclosed when APRIL and BAFFR haplotypes were compared between IgAV patients and controls and between IgAV patients stratified according to the clinical characteristics mentioned above. Our results suggest that BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR do not contribute to the genetic network underlying IgAV.
Surgical outcomes of re-excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (re-PTK)
Authors: Hieda Osamu , Sotozono Chie , Nakamura Yo , Wakimasu Koichi , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: June 2021

To assess the surgical outcomes of re-excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (re-PTK) for recurrent disease after initial PTK. Retrospective cohort study with historical comparison group. This study involved 56 patients who underwent re-PTK (mean follow-up period: 47.9 ± 36.2 months) at the Baptist Eye Institute, Kyoto, Japan. In all subjects, corrected-distance visual acuity (CDVA) before and after re-PTK was compared. Postoperative recurrence of corneal lesion with a decrease of CDVA of two lines or more was compared with postoperative best CDVA deemed as a significant relapse. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare the recurrence rate post-re-PTK with that after the initial PTK. The disease classification in the 78 eyes was heterozygous-type GCD (hetero-GCD, n = 47 eyes), homozygous-type GCD (homo-GCD, n = 13 eyes), band keratopathy (n = 7 eyes), lattice corneal dystrophy (n = 6 eyes), and other (n = 5 eyes). After re-PTK, homo-GCD recurred statistically significantly earlier than hetero-GCD (P = 0.0042). No significant difference was found in the recurrence rate for all diseases between post-re-PTK and post initial PTK (P > 0.05). Surgical outcomes after re-PTK were nearly equal to those after initial-PTK.
Alginate oligosaccharides can maintain activities of lysosomes under low pH condition
Authors: Park Ra-Mi , Nguyen Ngoc-Han Thi , Lee Su-Min , Kim Yang-Hoon , Min Jiho
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to report that lysosome extracted from egg white could be used as a drug through oral administration for treating diseases by using pH sensitive alginate oligosaccharides. Lysosome-alginate oligosaccharides composite were formulated for oral administration of lysosomes. The dissolution test confirmed the availability of the oral dosage form. When lysosome were used as an independent drug, the activity of protein was lost due to influence of low pH. Its antibacterial activity was also remarkably reduced. However, when lysosome-alginate oligosaccharides composite form was used, antimicrobial activity of lysozyme was maintained. At low pH, a gel-like matrix was formed by alginate oligosaccharides to protect the lysosome. When the pH was increased, alginate oligosaccharides were dissolved and the lysosome was released. SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of released lysosomes revealed that alginate oligosaccharide could effectively protect the lysosome from degradation or hydrolysis under acidic conditions for at least 2 h. The results of this study are important for application of lysosomes as therapeutic agents, and also it was confirmed that alginate oligosaccharides have potential as direct delivery system for the oral application of protein derived therapies.
Role of beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in pig uterus contractility with inflammation
Authors: Jana Barbara , Całka Jarosław
Published: June 2021

Uterine inflammation is a very common and serious condition in domestic animals. To development and progression of this pathology often lead disturbances in myometrial contractility. Participation of β1-, β2- and β3-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in noradrenaline (NA)-influenced contractility of the pig inflamed uterus was studied. The gilts of SAL- and E.coli-treated groups were administered saline or E.coli suspension into the uterine horns, respectively. Laparotomy was only done in the CON group. Compared to the period before NA administration, this neurotransmitter reduced the tension, amplitude and frequency in uterine strips of the CON and SAL groups. In the E.coli group, NA decreased the amplitude and frequency, and these parameters were lower than in other groups. In the CON, SAL and E.coli groups, β1- and β3-ARs antagonists in more cases did not significantly change and partly eliminated NA inhibitory effect on amplitude and frequency, as compared to NA action alone. In turn, β2-ARs antagonist completely abolished NA relaxatory effect on these parameters in three groups. Summarizing, NA decreases the contractile amplitude and frequency of pig inflamed uterus via all β-ARs subtypes, however, β2-ARs have the greatest importance. Given this, pharmacological modulation of particular β-ARs subtypes can be used to increase inflamed uterus contractility.
Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of RhB by carbon-quantum-dot-modified g-C3N4on carbon cloth
Authors: Zhu Bolin , Li Xuefei , Wang Yue , Liu Na , Tian Ye , Yang Jinghai
Published: June 2021

Highly efficient semiconductor photocatalysis technology is widely used for water purification.
Electrocatalysis as an enabling technology for organic synthesis
Authors: Novaes Luiz F. T. , Liu Jinjian , Shen Yifan , Lu Lingxiang , Meinhardt Jonathan M. , Lin Song
Published: June 2021

Electrochemistry has recently gained increased attention as a versatile strategy for achieving challenging transformations at the forefront of synthetic organic chemistry.
Millet shell polyphenols prevent atherosclerosis by protecting the gut barrier and remodeling the gut microbiota in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Liu Fengming , Shan Shuhua , Li Hanqing , Shi Jiangying , Hao Ruilin , Yang Ruipeng , Li Zhuoyu
Published: June 2021

Millet shell polyphenols (MSPs) reduce LPS induced inflammation by promoting the integrity of the gut barrier, and regulate the structure of the gut microbiota and the abundance of some bacteria, ultimately inhibiting the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
Design of a dual-function photocatalyst for cracking water to produce hydrogen and degradation of o-phenylphenol
Authors: Kang Meihuan , Li Yichen , Yan Jin , Shi Penghui , Min Yulin , Fan Jinchen , Xu Qunjie
Published: June 2021

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely studied because of its stable chemical properties, low cost and non-toxicity.
Recent advances in [3+2] cycloaddition of allenes with 1,3-carbonyl ylides; Rh(ii)-catalyzed access to bridged polyoxocarbocyles
Authors: Sahu Santosh Kumar , Behera Pradyota Kumar , Choudhury Prabhupada , Sethi Madhusudan , Jena Satyaban , Rout Laxmidhar
Published: June 2021

This study summarizes the stereochemical outcomes of [3+2] cycloaddition of allene molecules with 1,3-dipolar carbonyl ylides derived from Rh(ii) carbene-mediated diazo decomposition for the formation of highly diastereoselective poly oxacarbocycles.
“Net fishing” of synthesized micelle-scale single hollow polymer nanospheres from a solution
Authors: Li Jie-Yi , Wang Quan-Gao , Hou Lu , Liu Ru-Shuai , Lu An-Hui
Published: June 2021

Colloidal single-micelle hollow polymer nanospheres were synthesized using a 1-dodecanol/F127 micelle as the core for polymer growth. They act as “fish” and can be separated from a solution via “net-fishing” by hetero-charged GO “fishing nets”.
One-pot multicomponent green LED photoinduced synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]chromenes catalyzed by a new nanophotocatalyst histaminium tetrachlorozincate
Authors: Jarrahi Mahbube , Tayebee Reza , Maleki Behrooz , Salimi Alireza
Published: June 2021

(His.)ZnCl4 nanocatalyst is realized for the preparation of chromenes with a green LED. ˙O2−, OH˙ and h+ are reactive species for this reaction. Complementary tests assured good stability and reusability of the nanophotocatalyst.
Predicting gas selectivity in organic ionic plastic crystals by free energy calculations
Authors: Kandagal Vinay S. , Pringle Jennifer M. , Forsyth Maria , Chen Fangfang
Published: June 2021

The free energy calculation shows the different free energy changes of the adsorption and absorption of gas molecules into an organic ionic plastic crystal, successfully predicting the gas selectivity of this new type of gas separation material.
Fungal melanin as a biocompatible broad-spectrum sunscreen with high antioxidant activity
Authors: Oh Jeong-Joo , Kim Jee Young , Son Seung Han , Jung Won-Jo , Kim Da Hee , Seo Jin-Woo , Kim Gyu-Hyeok
Published: June 2021

Fungal melanin was utilized as a broad-spectrum sunscreen with antioxidant activity.
Correction: Sonodynamic therapy induces oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in glioma cells
Authors: Sun Yue , Wang Haiping , Zhang Kun , Liu Jingfei , Wang Pan , Wang Xiaobing , Liu Quanhong
Published: June 2021

Correction for ‘Sonodynamic therapy induces oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in glioma cells’ by Yue Sun et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 36245–36256, DOI: 10.1039/C8RA07099G.
Large breathing effect induced by water sorption in a remarkably stable nonporous cyanide-bridged coordination polymer
Authors: Magott Michał , Gaweł Bartłomiej , Sarewicz Marcin , Reczyński Mateusz , Ogorzały Karolina , Makowski Wacław , Pinkowicz Dawid
Published: June 2021

A cyanide-bridged coordination polymer {[Mn(imH)]2[Mo(CN)8]}n shows exceptional water sorption properties, very large breathing effect and outstanding stability – properties that are unique for this class of compounds – Prussian blue analogs.
The effect of core engineering on triphenylamine-derivative-based dopant-free hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells: from theoretical calculations to experimental research
Authors: Chen Qian , Cheng Puhang , Liu Hongyuan , Liu Xiaorui
Published: June 2021

A potential theoretical model was provided for the design of three triphenylamine-derivative-based hole-transporting materials. The promising hole-transporting materialCQ2was synthesized for perovskite solar cell applications.
Cs2AgInCl6double perovskite quantum dots decorated with Ag nanoparticles for photocatalytic CO2reduction
Authors: Chen Tangxi , Zhou Min , Chen Wen , Zhang Yuyao , Ou Siyong , Liu Yueli
Published: June 2021

Schematic diagram of the enhancement of the CO2photoreduction performance of the CAIC QDs@Ag composite by the loading of Ag nanoparticles and ligand density regulation.
The structural stability and defect-tolerance of ionic spinel semiconductors for high-efficiency solar cells
Authors: Liang Hanzhen , Xiang Huiwen , Zhu Rui , Liu Chengyan , Jia Yu
Published: June 2021

An ionic spinel semiconductor dominated by the spatially spreading outer ns/nd-orbital of cations shows great structural stability, high defect-tolerance and suitable optical band gaps for high-efficiency solar cell.
CLN5 and CLN3 function as a complex to regulate endolysosome function
Authors: Yasa Seda , Sauvageau Etienne , Modica Graziana , Lefrancois Stephane
Published: June 2021

CLN5 is a soluble endolysosomal protein whose function is poorly understood. Mutations in this protein cause a rare neurodegenerative disease, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). We previously found that depletion of CLN5 leads to dysfunctional retromer, resulting in the degradation of the lysosomal sorting receptor, sortilin. However, how a soluble lysosomal protein can modulate the function of a cytosolic protein, retromer, is not known. In this work, we show that deletion of CLN5 not only results in retromer dysfunction, but also in impaired endolysosome fusion events. This results in delayed degradation of endocytic proteins and in defective autophagy. CLN5 modulates these various pathways by regulating downstream interactions between CLN3, an endolysosomal integral membrane protein whose mutations also result in NCL, RAB7A, and a subset of RAB7A effectors. Our data support a model where CLN3 and CLN5 function as an endolysosomal complex regulating various functions.
The role of splicing factors in retinitis pigmentosa: links to cilia
Authors: Maxwell Dale W. , O'Keefe Raymond T. , Roy Sudipto , Hentges Kathryn E.
Published: June 2021

Cilia are critical to numerous biological functions, both in development and everyday homeostatic processes. Diseases arising from genetic mutations that cause cilia dysfunction are termed ciliopathies. Several ubiquitously expressed splicing factors have been implicated in the condition Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a group of diseases characterised by the progressive degeneration of the retina. In many types of RP the disease affects the modified primary cilium of the photoreceptor cells and thus, these types of RP are considered ciliopathies. Here, we discuss sequence variants found within a number of these splicing factors, the resulting phenotypes, and the mechanisms underpinning disease pathology. Additionally, we discuss recent evidence investigating why RP patients with mutations in globally expressed splicing factors present with retina-specific phenotypes.
Texting Behaviors of Individuals With Chronic Aphasia: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Kinsey Laura E. , Lee Jaime B. , Larkin Elissa M. , Cherney Leora R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

In today's digital world, text messaging is one of the most widely used ways that people stay connected. Although it is reported that people with aphasia experience difficulties with texting, little information is available about how they actually do text. This study reports texting behaviors, such as the number and type of messages sent and contacts individuals with aphasia have. The relationships between texting behaviors and aphasia severity, including writing impairments, and social connectedness are explored.

Method:

Twenty participants were sampled from an ongoing randomized clinical trial investigating an electronic writing treatment for aphasia (Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT03773419). Participants provided consent for researchers to view and analyze texts sent and received over a 7-day period immediately prior to the assessment. Participants' text messages were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded.

Results:

Over the 7-day period, the number of contacts with whom participants texted ranged from one to 18. The mean number of text messages exchanged was 40.3 (
SD
= 48.24), with participants sending an average of 15.4 (
SD
= 23.45) texts and receiving an average of 24.9 (
SD
= 29.44) texts. Participants varied in the types of texts sent; some had a larger proportion of initiated texts, while others drafted more responses, either simple or elaborative in nature. There was no correlation between the total number of texting exchanges and the Western Aphasia Battery–Revised Aphasia Quotient (

r
s

= .13,
p
= . 29) or the Western Aphasia Battery–Revised Writing subtest (

r
s

= .05,
p
= .42). There was also no correlation between the total number of texting exchanges and scores on measures of social connectedness.

Conclusions:

Texting behaviors of individuals with aphasia are widely variable. Demographics, severity of aphasia and writing, and social connectedness may not predict texting behaviors. Therefore, it is clinically important to explore the unique texting abilities and preferences of each individual to meet their communication and social participation goals.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14669664
High-Variability Phonetic Training Benefits Lexical Tone Perception: An Investigation on Mandarin-Speaking Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Zhang Hao , Ding Hongwei , Zhang Yang
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Lexical tone perception is known to be persistently difficult for individuals with cochlear implants (CIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of high-variability phonetic training (HVPT) in improving Mandarin tone perception for native-speaking children with CIs.

Method

A total of 28 Mandarin-speaking pediatric CI recipients participated in the study. Half of the children with CIs received a five-session HVPT within a period of 3 weeks. Identification and discrimination of lexical tones produced by familiar talkers (used during training) and novel talkers (not used during training) were measured before, immediately after, and 10 weeks after training termination. The other half untrained children served as control for the identical pre- and posttests.

Results

Lexical tone perception significantly improved in both trained identification task and untrained discrimination task for the trainees. There was also a significant effect in transfer of learning to perceiving tones produced by novel talkers. Moreover, training-induced gains were retained for up to 10 weeks after training. By comparison, no significant pre–post changes were observed in the control group.

Conclusion

The results provide the first systematical assessment for the efficacy of the HVPT protocol for Mandarin-speaking pediatric CI users with congenital hearing loss, which supports the clinical utility of intensive short-term HVPT in these children's rehabilitative regimens.
Learning discriminative representation with global and fine‐grained features for cross‐view gait recognition
Authors: Xiao Jing , Yang Huan , Xie Kun , Zhu Jia , Zhang Ji
Published: June 2021

In this study, we examine the cross‐view gait recognition problem. Many existing methods establish global feature representation based on the whole human body shape. However, they ignore some important details of different parts of the human body. In the latest literature, positioning partial regions to learn fine‐grained features has been verified to be effective in human identification. But they only consider coarse fine‐grained features and ignore the relationship between neighboring regions. Taken the above insights together, we propose a novel model called GaitGP, which learns both important details through fine‐grained features and the relationship between neighboring regions through global features. Our GaitGP model mainly consists of the following two aspects. First, we propose a Channel‐Attention Feature Extractor (CAFE) to extract the global features, which aggregates the channel‐level attention to enhance the spatial information in a novel convolutional component. Second, we present the Global and Partial Feature Combiner (GPFC) to learn different fine‐grained features, and combine them with the global features extracted by the CAFE to obtain the relevant information between neighboring regions. Experimental results on the CASIA gait recognition dataset B (CASIA‐B), The OU‐ISIR gait database, multi‐view large population dataset, and The OU‐ISIR gait database gait datasets show that our method is superior to the state‐of‐the‐art cross‐view gait recognition methods.
Automated alignment in mask‐free photolithography enabled by micro‐LED arrays
Authors: Stonehouse M. , Blanchard A. , Guilhabert B. , Zhang Y. , Gu E. , Watson I. M. , Herrnsdorf J. , Dawson M. D.
Published: June 2021

We present an automated control system for micro scale positioning, based on single pixel imaging and fluorescence. By projecting a chequerboard array of CMOS controllable μ‐LEDs at a suitable wavelength, we are able to spatially locate, track and automatically align to fluorescent markers. Positioning is demonstrated with accuracy on the order of 20 μm. We present a maskless photo‐lithography system using the automated control capability and a second μ‐LED array to photo‐cure customisable structures in photoresist with alignment referenced to the fluorescent markers.
Closed‐loop fast primary frequency‐response of type‐3 wind power plants in low inertia grids
Authors: Nasirpour Negin , Madani Seyed M. , Niroomand Mehdi , Muljadi Eduard
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes a frequency‐control scheme for Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)‐based (Type‐3) wind turbines to improve the primary‐frequency‐control when the grid power balance is disturbed. The increasing penetration level of renewable energy sources, like wind power plants, reduces the total available inertia of modern grids, which deteriorate the frequency response in case of sudden power‐mismatches. The proposed closed‐loop participation of wind power plant interacts with the thermal units to reduce the frequency nadir and frequency settling‐time, during the inertial and primary stages. The designed disturbance observer decreases the uncertainties in the estimation of grid parameters, which results in robust PI performance in adjusting the ancillary power provided by wind turbines. Certain measures considered within the control loop to limit the rate‐of‐change‐of‐frequency within the permissive range to avoid the protective relays tripping. Comparative simulations studies on modified IEEE 9‐bus and 68‐bus test systems verify the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method.
Spectral and angular differential imaging with SPHERE/IFS
Authors: Kiefer S. , Bohn A. J. , Quanz S. P. , Kenworthy M. , Stolker T.
Published: June 2021

Context. Direct imaging of exoplanets is a challenging task that requires state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced image-processing techniques. Differential imaging techniques have proven useful for the detection of exoplanet companions around stars. Angular differential imaging (ADI) and spectral differential imaging (SDI) are commonly used for direct detection and characterisation of young, Jovian exoplanets in datasets obtained with the SPHERE/IFS instrument.

Aims. We compare the performance of ADI, SDI, and three combinations of ADI and SDI to find which technique achieves the highest signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), and we analyse their performance as functions of integration time, field rotation, and wavelength range.

Methods. We analyse SPHERE/IFS observations of three known exoplanets, namely β Pictoris b, 51 Eridani b, and HR 8799 e, with five differential imaging techniques. We split the datasets into subsets to vary each parameter before the data are processed with each technique. The differential imaging techniques are applied using principal component analysis (PCA).

Results. The tests show that a combination of SDI and ADI consistently achieves better results than ADI alone, and using SDI and ADI simultaneously (combined differential imaging; CODI) achieved the best results. The integration time test shows that targets with a separation larger than 0.24 arcsec observed with an integration time of more than 103 s were photon-noise limited. Field rotation shows a strong correlation with S/N for field rotations up to 1 full width at half maximum (FWHM), after which no significant increase in S/N with field rotation is observed. Wavelength range variation shows a general increase in S/N for broader wavelength ranges, but no clear correlation is seen.

Conclusions. Spectral information is essential to boost S/N compared to regular ADI. Our results suggest that CODI should be the preferred processing technique to search for new exoplanets with SPHERE/IFS. To optimise direct-imaging observations, the field rotation should exceed 1 FWHM to detect exoplanets at small separations.
NEED Northern European Enclosure Dam
Authors: Groeskamp Sjoerd , Kjellsson Joakim
Published: June 2021

To protect fifteen northern European countries against sea level rise, a highly ambitious plan was put forward to build massive sea dams across the North Sea and the English Channel, which will cut off the North Sea from the rest of the Atlantic Ocean.
Inquiry-based Science Education and e-Learning
Authors: Sotiriou Sofoklis A.
Published: June 2021

Science classrooms (even in the time of the pandemic) should provide more challenging, inquiry-based, authentic and higher-order learning experiences allowing students to participate in scientific practices and tasks. Rich scientific databases, e-Learning tools and digital educational resources can serve as a catalyst for science learning. They can offer a better understanding of complex scientific research, making science understandable and interesting to the students.
Mass matters: Latest Higgs boson results from the LHC
Authors: Heim Sarah
Published: June 2021

The Higgs boson was discovered at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012. Since then, a comprehensive program has been ongoing to characterize it as precisely as possible. Can this particle help us solve some of the big open questions in physics?
Fonction masticatrice : quelques notions fondamentales utiles en clinique
Authors: Kolf Jacqueline , Raymond Jean-Louis
Published: June 2021

Un certain nombre de travaux de recherche fondamentale montrent l’influence de la mastication sur le développement des arcades dentaires et son implication probable dans certaines dysmorphoses.

Leur connaissance peut être utile à l’orthodontiste au moment d’entreprendre son traitement.
Comparison of models for the simulation of landslide generated Tsunamis
Authors: Audusse E. , Caldas Steinstraesser J.G. , Emerald L. , Heinrich P. , Paris A. , Parisot M.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we analyze the relevance of the use of the shallow water model and the Boussinesq model to simulate tsunamis generated by a landslide. In a first part, we determine if the two models are able to reproduce waves generated by a landslide. Each model has drawbacks but it seems that it is possible to use them together to improve the simulations. In a second part we try to recover the landslide displacement from the generated wave. This problem is formulated as a minimization problem and we limit the number of parameters to determine assuming that the bottom can be well described by an empirical law.
Partial differential equations for oceanic artificial intelligence
Authors: Guillot Jules , Koenig Guillaume , Minbashian Kadi , Frénod Emmanuel , Flourent Héléne , Brajard Julien
Published: June 2021

The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) plays a significant role in analyzing and assessing the dynamics of weather and also biological systems. It has various applications such as weather forecasting or planning of coastal activities. On the one hand, standard physical methods for forecasting SST use coupled ocean- atmosphere prediction systems, based on the Navier-Stokes equations. These models rely on multiple physical hypotheses and do not optimally exploit the information available in the data.

On the other hand, despite the availability of large amounts of data, direct applications of machine learning methods do not always lead to competitive state of the art results. Another approach is to combine these two methods: this is data-model coupling. The aim of this paper is to use a model in another domain. This model is based on a data-model coupling approach to simulate and predict SST. We first introduce the original model. Then, the modified model is described, to finish with some numerical results.
Komplementinhibitoren: neue Therapeutika – neue Indikationen
Authors: Höchsmann Britta , Körper Sixten , Schrezenmeier Hubert
Published: June 2021

Das Komplementsystem, ein klassisch transfusionsmedizinisches Thema, hat in den letzten Jahren in allen Bereichen der Medizin an Bedeutung gewonnen. Komplementinhibitoren werden aufgrund eines besseren Verständnisses der Pathophysiologie unterschiedlicher Erkrankungen in einem sich stetig erweiternden Krankheitsspektrum eingesetzt. Dieses reicht von typisch komplementassoziierten Erkrankungen wie der PNH (paroxysmale nächtliche Hämoglobinurie) bis hin zu akuten Krankheitsbildern mit einer Fehlregulation des Komplementsystems, wie COVID-19.
Aktualisierte Kriterien des Deutschen Konsortiums Familiärer Brust- und Eierstockkrebs zur Klassifizierung von Keimbahn-Sequenzvarianten in Risikogenen für familiären Brust- und Eierstockkrebs
Authors: Hauke Jan , Wappenschmidt Barbara , Faust Ulrike , Niederacher Dieter , Wiesmüller Lisa , Schmidt Gunnar , Groß Evi , Meindl Alfons , Gehrig Andrea , Sutter Christian , Ramser Juliane , Rump Andreas , Arnold Norbert
Published: June 2021

Das Deutsche Konsortium für Familiären Brust- und Eierstockkrebs (GC-HBOC) etablierte vor über 10 Jahren eine Expertengruppe (VUS Task Force), um die von Einzelzentren des GC-HBOC an die zentrale Datenbank in Leipzig gemeldeten Genvarianten hinsichtlich ihrer Klassifizierung zu überprüfen und ggf. nach aktueller Datenlage neu einzustufen. Die innerhalb der VUS Task Force konsentierten Variantenbewertungen und resultierenden Klassifizierungen werden in einer zentralen Datenbank (Heredicare) hinterlegt. Sie sind als Grundlage zu berücksichtigen, um eine einheitliche Bewertung bereits bekannter wie auch neu identifizierter Varianten innerhalb des GC-HBOC zu gewährleisten. Die standardisierte VUS-Bewertung durch die VUS Task Force ist ein zentrales Element des vom GC-HBOC ebenfalls etablierten Recall-Systems. Dieses dient der Weitergabe der Informationen an die genetischen Berater der in den Zentren betreuten Familien im Falle einer aufgrund neuer Erkenntnisse aktualisierten Bewertung bereits klassifizierter Varianten. Die mit international etablierten Bewertungsverfahren (IARC, ACMG, ENIGMA) harmonisierten Bewertungsalgorithmen der VUS Task Force werden in diesem Artikel anhand der zugrunde liegenden Entscheidungskriterien präsentiert, die mittels eines priorisierenden Fließschemas zum Klassifizierungsergebnis führen. Weiterhin werden genspezifische Regelungen und Besonderheiten, die für einzelne mit Brust- und/oder Eierstockkrebs assoziierte Risikogene zu berücksichtigen sind, in einzelnen Unterkapiteln dargelegt. Um dem Umfang und der Dynamik des aktuellen Wissens zur Variantenbewertung gerecht zu werden, sind neben umfangreichen Literaturverweisen insbesondere auch die URLs von relevanten Datenbanken angegeben. In Zukunft sollen die an neue Erkenntnisse angepassten Kriterien auf der Webseite des GC-HBOC (https://www.konsortium-familiaerer-brustkrebs.de/) veröffentlicht werden und als Grundlage für die automatisierte Bewertung von Varianten dienen. Dies ist Bestandteil des durch die Deutsche Krebshilfe geförderten Forschungsvorhabens HerediVar. Des Weiteren werden die so vom Expertengremium bewerten Varianten zukünftig in der ClinVar-Datenbank hinterlegt, um sie international zugänglich zu machen.
Schlaf und Schlafstörungen bei Demenzerkrankungen
Authors: Frohnhofen Helmut , Mayer Geert , Gronewold Janine
Published: June 2021

Was ist neu?

Gestörter Schlaf bei Demenz Fast jeder Demenzkranke hat einen gestörten Schlaf. Das Spektrum der Schlafstörungen ist sehr breit. Die Behandlung von Schlafstörungen ist auch bei Demenzkranken zunächst nichtpharmakologisch. Die Evidenz für eine Pharmakotherapie ist sehr gering und nur für retardiertes Melatonin und Trazodon belegt.

Behandlung von Schlafstörungen bei Patienten mit Demenz Neben Allgemeinmaßnahmen mit optimaler Behandlung von Komorbiditäten hat die Verhaltenstherapie einen hohen Stellenwert. Medikamente zur Therapie einer Schlafstörung können mit klarer Zielsetzung verordnet werden, sollten aber hinsichtlich der Notwendigkeit der Verordnung immer wieder überprüft werden. Die aktive Suche nach und die Behandlung von Schlafstörungen sollte bei Demenzkranken immer erfolgen.
Fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie, Teil 2
Authors: Sachs Ulrich J. , Bedei Ivonne , Wienzek-Lischka Sandra , Cooper Nina , Ehrhardt Harald , Axt-Fliedner Roland , Bein Gregor
Published: June 2021

Die fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie (FNAIT) wird durch mütterliche Antikörper hervorgerufen, die gegen ein vom Vater ererbtes Blutgruppenmerkmal an fetalen Thrombozyten gerichtet sind. Während Teil 1 des Beitrags Ausgabe die Ätiologie, die Pathogenese und die Diagnostik der FNAIT thematisiert hatte, widmet sich dieser 2. Teil der Risikostratifizierung und Behandlung 1.
Post-Traumatic Subfrontal with Orbital Extradural Hematoma and Proptosis (Unusual Presentation Managed with Needle Aspiration) A Case Report with Review of Literature
Authors: Raj Sumit , Chouksey Pradeep , Shrivastava Adesh , Mishra Rakesh , Prakash Manas , Agrawal Amit
Published: June 2021

Extradural hematoma (EDH) is a common intracranial pathology following motor vehicle accidents, comprising approximately 0.2 to 6% of all head injuries. The association of EDH with subperiosteal intraorbital hematomas is rarely reported. We report a case of a traumatic subfrontal EDH with subperiosteal hematoma (orbital EDH) successfully treated with needle aspiration, demonstrating that in appropriate patients, needle aspiration can result in the resolution of symptoms without an invasive procedure.
Protectionism through legislative layering: Implications for auditors and investors
Authors: Alon Anna , Kim Oksana
Published: June 2021

Protectionism is on the rise. Although it tends to be associated with tariffs on imports, governments are increasingly applying other mechanisms to influence international business. Import substitution initiatives have been used to replace purchases from foreign producers with local alternatives. Russia implemented import substitution through legislative layering where layers of regulation created requirements targeting different industries and companies. Following sanctions imposed in 2014 on Russia, the government responded with additional import substitution efforts. We are interested in effects of such measures on the Big 4, global professional service firms, and the choice of auditors by partially privatized enterprises (PPEs). PPEs have more complex multilevel agency problems because it is less clear who is in charge. We find that companies with state ownership were more likely to switch away from the Big 4, and this was more pronounced for companies in strategic industries. It also contributed to companies switching from the Big 4 to the next tier of audit firms. After 2015, PPEs were less likely to receive a modified audit opinion on IFRS audits. However, auditor changes did not occur at the cross-listed enterprises that are under enhanced monitoring from global investors and foreign stock exchanges.
Generating random quantum channels
Authors: Kukulski Ryszard , Nechita Ion , Pawela Łukasz , Puchała Zbigniew , Życzkowski Karol
Published: June 2021

Several techniques of generating random quantum channels, which act on the set of d-dimensional quantum states, are investigated. We present three approaches to the problem of sampling of quantum channels and show that they are mathematically equivalent. We discuss under which conditions they give the uniform Lebesgue measure on the convex set of quantum operations and compare their advantages and computational complexity and demonstrate which of them is particularly suitable for numerical investigations. Additional results focus on the spectral gap and other spectral properties of random quantum channels and their invariant states. We compute the mean values of several quantities characterizing a given quantum channel, including its unitarity, the average output purity, and the 2-norm coherence of a channel, averaged over the entire set of the quantum channels with respect to the uniform measure. An ensemble of classical stochastic matrices obtained due to super-decoherence of random quantum stochastic maps is analyzed, and their spectral properties are studied using the Bloch representation of a classical probability vector.